Durotaxis

In cellular biology, durotaxis is a form of cell migration in which cells are guided by rigidity gradients, which arise from differential structural properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Most normal cells migrate up rigidity gradients (in the direction of greater stiffness).[1]

  1. ^ Plotnikov, SV; Pasapera, AM; Sabass, B; Waterman, CM (21 December 2012). "Force fluctuations within focal adhesions mediate ECM-rigidity sensing to guide directed cell migration". Cell. 151 (7): 1513–27. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2012.11.034. PMC 3821979. PMID 23260139.