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

Thomas A Zangle; Michael A Teitell

doi:10.1038/nmeth.3175

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

Nat Methods. 2014 Dec;11(12):1221-8. doi: 10.1038/nmeth.3175.

Authors

Thomas A Zangle¹, Michael A Teitell²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA.
² 1] Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, USA. [2] Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA. [3] California NanoSystems Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA. [4] Broad Stem Cell Research Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA. [5] Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA. [6] Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.

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.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biophysics / methods*
Cell Differentiation
Cell Proliferation*
Cell Size*
Humans
Interferometry / methods*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding