Dynamics of cell adhesion on fluid substrates

Adhesion is a ubiquitous process for virtually all cells from those that form together tissues and organs of multicellular organisms to single immune cells that migrate adhering to the extracellular matrix in search of pathogenic cells. Cells adhere to substrates or other cells not only to maintain physical cohesion, but also to receive information on their microenvironment. Adhesion is thus a platform for mechano-chemical communication between a cell and a substrate or another cell.