Legant, Wesley R.Miller, Jordan S.Blakely, Brandon L.Cohen, Daniel M.Genin, Guy M.Chen, Christopher S.2014-09-222014-09-222010Legant, Wesley R., Miller, Jordan S., Blakely, Brandon L., et al.. "Measurement of mechanical tractions exerted by cells within three-dimensional matrices." <i>Nature Methods,</i> 7, no. 12 (2010) Nature Publishing Group: 969-971. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.1531.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/77219Quantitative measurements of cell-generated forces have heretofore required that cells be cultured on two-dimensional substrates. We describe a technique to quantitatively measure three-dimensional traction forces exerted by cells fully encapsulated within well-defined elastic hydrogel matrices. We apply this approach to measure tractions from a variety of cell types and contexts, and reveal patterns of force generation attributable to morphologically distinct regions of cells as they extend into the surrounding matrix.engThis is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by the Nature Publishing Group.Journal articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.1531