Live-cell mass profiling: an emerging approach in quantitative biophysics.

Publication Year:

2014

Authors:

Thomas A Zangle, Michael A Teitell

PubMed ID:

25423019

Funding Grants:

Mitochondrial Metabolism in hESC and hiPSC Differentiation, Reprogramming, and Cancer
Role of Mitochondria in Self-Renewal Versus Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Public Summary:

Cell mass, volume and growth rate are tightly controlled biophysical parameters in cellular development and homeostasis, and pathological cell growth defines cancer in metazoans. The first measurements of cell mass were made in the 1950s, but only recently have advances in computer science and microfabrication spurred the rapid development of precision mass-quantifying approaches. Here we discuss available techniques for quantifying the mass of single live cells with an emphasis on relative features, capabilities and drawbacks for different applications.

Scientific Abstract:

Cell mass, volume and growth rate are tightly controlled biophysical parameters in cellular development and homeostasis, and pathological cell growth defines cancer in metazoans. The first measurements of cell mass were made in the 1950s, but only recently have advances in computer science and microfabrication spurred the rapid development of precision mass-quantifying approaches. Here we discuss available techniques for quantifying the mass of single live cells with an emphasis on relative features, capabilities and drawbacks for different applications.