Profiling Collective and Individual Cell Migration Using Biomaterial and Microfluidic Technologies

Animal cells direct their migration in response to diverse microenvironmental cues during developmental, physiological, and pathological processes. Emerging biomaterial and microfluidic technologies enable exquisite control over these external signals to manipulate cell migration, facilitating new fundamental insights and biomedical applications. Here, we highlight recent advances in cell migration assays, with particular emphasis on collective and individual epithelial invasion. First, we consider cell migration in confined geometries, either through micropatterned topographies or microchannels. Next, we address cell invasion in 3D matrix, including both natural and synthetic hydrogels. We then discuss microfluidic devices for applying flow and gradients. Finally, we consider emerging technologies and the potential for bench to bedside translation in cancer biology.