SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN CELLS WITH NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICALLY ALTERED CYTOSKELETON

摘要

Methods and systems for classifying a cell as having a normal or an abnormal phenotype related to its cytoskeleton are provided. One disclosed method includes contacting the cell with a substance capable of disrupting the cell cytoskeleton, monitoring a change in morphology of the cell; and classifying the cell phenotype according to a degree and/or kinetics of the change in the morphology. Further disclosed is a method including exposing the cell to multiple concentrations the substance and classifying the cell phenotype according to a concentration at which a morphological change in the cell occurs. Further disclosed is a system for classifying the cell including a substrate for supporting the cell, an image capture unit designed and configured for capturing image data the cell adhered to the substrate and a data processing unit capable of receiving the image data and determining a degree of pearling in the cell from the image data.