Abstract
We developed molecular tension probes (TPs) that report traction forces of adherent cells with high spatial resolution , can in principle be linked to virtually any surface , and obviate monitoring deformations of elastic substrates .
TPs consist of DNA hairpins conjugated to fluorophore-quencher pairs that unfold and fluoresce when subjected to specific forces .
We applied TPs to reveal that cellular traction forces are heterogeneous within focal adhesions and localized at their distal edges .
Full Article:
http://www.nature.com/nmeth/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nmeth.3145.html