What ! cells do follow physical rules It is strange indeed!

Basically we have studied the shapes of several thousands of cells spreading onto a lattice of proteins. The lattice of proteins is made in clean room using lithographic methods and define geometrical constraints onto which the cell self-pins.

Cells are living systems and thus are not supposed to be in equilibrium. They are in fact constantly consuming energy by burning sugar and creating ATP from ADP from which complex coupled chemical reactions can occur. These reactions are dissipative and maintain the inhomogeneities within cells.

Allthough cells cannot be considered as fast moving objects they are nevertheless dynamic specially if the substrate onto which they crawl is continuous. If a finite length separate neighbouring adhesive islands the dynamic of new adhesive anchor creation is slowed down. As a consequence the cell body has time to relax and to the minimize its energy.

You still want to know more, well you are interested ! contact us we have exiting project for you. You may want to have a look on our papers on the subject.