We followed the protocols of cell-traction quantification published previously11 (link). In brief, cells were plated on PA gels with red fluorescent beads (0.2 μm in diameter; Molecular Probes, Invitrogen) embedded on the top surface. Before and after cell trypsinization, fluorescent images were taken to compute the displacement field of the beads using digital image correlation (DIC)in a homebuilt MATLAB program. Cell tractions were then calculated from the displacement field using inverse Boussinesq mathematical model.