The SDS initiates disintegration of cell integrity and as the cell relaxes, its grip on the surface is lost. The latex beads embedded in the surface then return to their original resting positions. The animation is analysed frame by frame and the displacement of the beads is calculated using image software. A series of vector forces are calculated and the overall vector giving the overall contraction force of the cell. In vivo , such forces are thought to cause contraction of the skin s dermal layer and promote wound closure.
Normal contraction is vital to prevent infection and water loss.
However, aberrant cellular behaviour is thought to be responsible for a variety of wound pathologies, such as hypertrophic and keloid scarring. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms that determine the polarity and maximum force of contraction and also to study differences in the behaviour of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Burton, K., and Taylor, D.L. Traction forces of cytokinesis measured with optically modified elastic substrata. Lee, J., Leonard, M., Oliver, T., Ishihara, A., and Jacobson, K. Traction forces generated by locomoting keratocytes. J. Cell Biol.