Cell motility is now recognized as central to many biological processes. Growth factors, such as those that activate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), drive biochemically and biologically distinct subsets of migration critical for (neo)organogenesis and tumor invasion. Thus, modulation of these events requires an understanding of the controls of EGFR-mediated motility. Deconstruction of motility into its component events enables this deeper insight. Herein we describe methods that measure the overall motility and its parameters as well as the biophysical processes extension, de-adhesion/ retraction, and contraction.
