Fig. 2.

Cell invasion dynamics in decision tree microchannels. a) A cell encounters the decision tree of the circular pattern. Upon entry, the cell exhibits split extensions. Eventually, one side collapses and the cell is polarized along the other edge. b) A cell encounters the decision tree of the semicircular pattern and split extensions are formed. The extensions elongate in competing directions until asymmetric collapse occurs, resulting in the cell being polarized along the remaining leading edge. c, d) Blebbistatin-treated cells typically exhibit an altered cell morphology. They have long and thin extensions that drag the cell body along in a motile mode that resembles a tethered ball. Here, the extension drags the cell along the top path of the circular pattern in (c) and along the bottom path of the semicircular pattern in (d). e) Taxol treated cells tend to be more rounded with less noticeable extensions and have decreased migratory persistence. Arrows point to cell extensions. All time coordinates are in minutes. For scale reference, the width of the top path is 10 μm.