title: Cell traction.
abstract: Traction forces are exerted by cells on their substratum as they migrate. These forces under the entire cell or subcellular regions can be measured. This unit describes several protocols for making silicone sheets to measure traction forces under the entire cell, as well as a protocol for developing a micromachined device to measure forces under subcellular regions.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Galbraith
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sheetz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D054443:Cell Migration Assays / Q000379:methods*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012828:Silicones / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D012828:Silicones