bioRxivBiophysicsPreprint
Data-driven traction force microscopy in 3D collagen hydrogels
Jorge Barrasa FanoiD, Laurens KimpsiD, Alejandro Apolinar–FernándeziD, Débora do Carmo LinharesiD, Iain MuntziD, Elías Núñez-OrtegaiD, Nele Vaes, Apeksha ShapetiiD, Ruth CardinaelsiD, Gijsje Hendrika KoenderinkiD, Jose A. Sanz‐HerreraiD, Hans Van OosterwyckiD
Abstract
Three-dimensional traction force microscopy (3DTFM) in fibrillar hydrogels typically models the extracellular matrix as a continuum. We present data-driven 3DTFM (DD-TFM), which reconstructs fiber networks from confocal images and models them as discrete fiber networks mechanically calibrated by shear rheology. We validate DD-TFM in silico and apply it to endothelial cells, quantifying cell-generated forces and matrix stresses at the fiber level. Compared with continuum TFM DD-TFM reveals network-guided matrix deformations, shifting 3DTFM toward fiber-resolved force calculation.
- assay: imaging
- research focus: cell signaling & trafficking
- approach: deep learning
- approach: statistical model
- Citations
- 0
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