Abstract: The method can include: acquiring an image of an arrangement having at least one cell covering at least one adhesive surface area, the at least one adhesive surface area being predictively deformable upon exerting cellular forces stemming from said at least one cell; measuring, from the image, a surface area of the at least one cell; comparing the measured surface area to a reference surface area value; and generating a signal indicative of the cellular forces based on said comparison.

Abstract: A platform for biological assays includes a base substrate providing structural support to the platform, at least one surface of the base substrate coated with position markers, a first deformable layer positioned on top of the base substrate, and a second deformable layer positioned on top of the first deformable layer, the second deformable layer embedded with deformation markers.

Abstract: A platform for biological assays includes a base substrate providing structural support to the platform, at least one surface of the base substrate coated with position markers, a first deformable layer positioned on top of the base substrate, and a second deformable layer positioned on top of the first deformable layer, the second deformable layer embedded with deformation markers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include Optical Cell Guidance (OCG) methods and apparatus to control cell growth. This system guides the leading edge of motile cells with an optical gradient, which biases the cell's motion into the light by pulling on proteins, which act like soft dielectrics in the electromagnetic field. OCG differs from those devices described above in that it controls the direction of cell motility. This is an entirely new field, and the first device to directly manipulate cell motility. OCG differs from current approaches in that it does not trap or hold particles. Instead of trapping and pulling the cell, the goal of OCG is to influence, direct, and control the growth of a growth cone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include Optical Cell Guidance (OCG) methods and apparatus to control cell growth. This system guides the leading edge of motile cells with an optical gradient, which biases the cell's motion into the light by pulling on proteins, which act like soft dielectrics in the electromagnetic field. OCG differs from those devices described above in that it controls the direction of cell motility. This is an entirely new field, and the first device to directly manipulate cell motility. OCG differs from current approaches in that it does not trap or hold particles. Instead of trapping and pulling the cell, the goal of OCG is to influence, direct, and control the growth of a growth cone.