Many important biological processes, such as wound healing, tissue development and cancer cell invasion, are based on the collective movement of cells. One of the main mechanisms for directed cell movement is chemotaxis, where cells follow chemical gradients (chemoattractants) present in their environment. These gradients might arise from the presence of a local source of chemoattractant or due...

Cell movement is a complex phenomenon primarily driven by the actin network beneath the cell membrane, and can be divided into three general components: protrusion of the leading edge of the cell, adhesion of the leading edge and deadhesion at the cell body and rear, and cytoskeletal contraction to pull the cell forward. Each of these steps is driven by physical forces generated by unique segme...