Molecular mechanocytometry using tension-activated cell tagging

Flow cytometry is used routinely to measure single-cell gene expression by staining cells with fluorescent antibodies and nucleic acids. Here, we present tension-activated cell tagging (TaCT) to label cells fluorescently based on the magnitude of molecular force transmitted through cell adhesion receptors. As a proof-of-concept, we analyzed fibroblasts and mouse platelets after TaCT using conventional flow cytometry. Tension-activated cell tagging (TaCT) is a new method that uses flow cytometry to sort mechanically active cells based on the forces generated by their surface adhesion receptors.

Automated summary

Tension-activated cell tagging (TaCT) is a novel method that utilizes flow cytometry to sort mechanically active cells.