# High throughput single cell linear displacement adhesion assay

> **NIH NIH R43** · NEUROINDX INC. · 2022 · $350,000

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Cell adhesion is an essential process for any living cell. It is critical for cell differentiation, division, migration
and specialization. Dysfunction of cell adhesion is a hallmark of various pathological phenotypes, including
chronic kidney diseases, cancer, and many others. In the effort to discover new disease treatments and
improve our basic understanding of single cell properties there is a strong demand for methods permitting rapid
and accurate single cell adhesion measurements. Unfortunately, current technologies are lacking since they
only measure adhesion in entire cell populations (e.g., microfluidics, spin disks) rather than individual cells, are
too complex or costly (e.g., atomic force microscopy, optical tweezers) for widespread adoption, require
sophisticated functionalized surfaces (traction force microscopy), or probe only targeted receptors (cell
adhesive force microscopy) that precludes measuring total cell adhesion potential. Therefore, there is a great
need for an automated, high-throughput and cost-efficient platform capable of simultaneously measuring single
cell adhesion for a large population of cells. Here, we propose to develop a novel methodological approach
utilizing simple disposable microfluidics cassettes (MiCs), oscillation driven cell shifts, and a conversion of
each individual cell track to adhesion force via machine learning algorithms. Our initial studies provide strong
support for the feasibility of the approach. This one-year Phase I project will result in a fully functional
instrument through the development and integration of its critical components, which include a programmable
cell shift actuator (BioShake), disposable MiCs, cell adhesion analysis algorithms, and software (SA1). In
addition, the entire workflow and proof of principle experiments will be performed using multiple cell lines with
various adhesive properties (SA2). We anticipate that the fully developed mature product will provide a high
impact tool to promote mechanobiology studies on the key role of cell adhesion in health and disease,
including such pathological conditions, such as cancer, thus facilitating further fundamental studies in cell
biology and translational research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10483237
- **Project number:** 1R43GM146508-01
- **Recipient organization:** NEUROINDX INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Lili C Kudo
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $350,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10483237

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10483237, High throughput single cell linear displacement adhesion assay (1R43GM146508-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-30 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10483237. Licensed CC0.

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