Determining interactions between cells based on force spectroscopy

Abstract

Methods and systems for determining interaction between cells are described wherein the method includes determining or receiving a sequence of images representing manipulating first cells, in a holding space, the holding space including a functionalized wall comprising second cells, the manipulating including settling of the first cells onto the functionalized wall and applying a force on the settled first cells; detecting groups of pixels representing first cells in first images representing the settling of the first cells onto the functionalized wall; tracking locations of detected first cells in the first images; and, determining settling events, a settling event being determined if a cell in a first image is not distinguishable from background of the first image, the location in the image at which a cell settling event is detected defining a cell settling location; detecting groups of pixels representing cells in second images captured during the application of the force and tracking locations of detected cells, wherein tracked locations of a detected cell in the second images form a tracking path, the first location of the tracking path defining a pop-up event, the location in a second image at which a pop-up event is detected defining a pop-up location; and, determining detachment events based on the settling locations and based on the pop-up locations, a detachment event defining a first cell being detached from a second cell due to application of the force on the first cell, and determining information about the interaction between first and second cells based on the force applied to the first cells.