Longitudinal Measurement of Extracellular Matrix Rigidity in 3D Tumor Models Using Particle-tracking Microrheology

The overall goal of this procedure is to measure longitudinal changes in the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix in three dimensional cancer models. This is accomplished by first harvesting cancer cells and growing the tumor steroid by an appropriate method until they have reached the desired size. The second step is to embed the tumor steroid in the collagen or other appropriate extracellular matrix.

Next, the grid of sample points is constructed and a video is taken at each point. The final step is to analyze the video data and compute and coregister real logical properties at each spatial point. Ultimately, this protocol uses analysis of tracer probe trajectories to longitudinally quantify spatial changes in extracellular matrix mechanics in a non-destructive manner.