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Updated: Nov 2, 2025

Quantitative Analysis of Cell Edge Dynamics during Cell Spreading

Quantitative Analysis of Cell Edge Dynamics during Cell Spreading

Published on: May 22, 2021

Quantitative Analysis of Cell Edge Dynamics during Cell Spreading.

Ernest Iu¹, Alexander Bogatch¹, Sergey V Plotnikov²

¹Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto.

Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove

|June 7, 2021

Summary

This study details a cell spreading assay protocol and an open-source tool for analyzing cell edge dynamics. This method aids in screening molecular players that regulate lamellipodial protrusions, crucial for cell movement.

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Biophysics
Molecular Biology

Background:

Cell spreading involves actin polymerization in lamellipodia, essential for cell migration and endocytosis.
Cell spreading assays are valuable for studying lamellipodial protrusion kinetics.
A comprehensive protocol with data analysis tools for cell spreading assays is currently lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe a detailed workflow for the cell spreading assay.
To present an open-source computational tool for quantitative analysis of cell edge dynamics.
To provide a method for large-scale screening of molecular regulators of lamellipodial protrusions.

Main Methods:

Detailed experimental procedures for the cell spreading assay.
Development and application of an open-source software tool for image analysis.

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Integration with pharmacological and gene-silencing techniques.

Main Results:

A standardized protocol for performing cell spreading assays.
An open-source tool enabling unbiased quantification of cell edge dynamics.
Demonstration of the assay's utility in screening molecular players.

Conclusions:

The described cell spreading assay protocol and analysis tool offer an efficient method to study lamellipodial dynamics.
This approach facilitates the identification of novel regulators of cell protrusion.
The protocol is adaptable for high-throughput screening in various cell biology research areas.