Extracellular matrix INDEX

The above discussion relates to the process of random migration where cells do not move in a preferential direction. It is often the case, however, that soluble and insoluble factors causing cells to move in a preferential direction are present. Soluble agents that attract cells are called chemotactic, while those immobilized in the extracellular matrix are called haptotactic. In chemotactic or haptotactic migration, a third parameter must be determined to capture the directional preference of the migration process. This parameter is the chemotactic index (C/), which can be determined experimentally from single cell trajectories by the equation ... 

Figure 8.3 Example imaginary refractive index, k, spectrum of Matrigel (an extracellular matrix).

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