6.1. Emerging technologies for studying lamellipodia and
filopodia
First, the advent of single-cell omics technologies holds tremendous
promise for dissecting heterogeneity within cancer cell populations
[69]. By analyzing individual cells, researchers can uncover
variations in lamellipodia and filopodia dynamics that may be masked in
bulk analyses. Single-cell RNA sequencing and proteomics can provide a
nuanced understanding of how individual cancer cells modulate protrusion
dynamics in response to microenvironmental cues. Second, continuous
advancements in live-cell imaging technologies offer unprecedented
opportunities to capture the dynamic behavior of lamellipodia and
filopodia in real-time. High-speed, high-resolution microscopy combined
with super-resolution techniques enables detailed visualization of these
cellular protrusions. Additionally, the integration of multi-dimensional
imaging modalities, such as fluorescence and label-free imaging,
enhances the spatiotemporal resolution, allowing for a comprehensive
exploration of protrusion dynamics in diverse physiological contexts
[56]. Third, computational tools for quantitative image analysis are
evolving rapidly, providing researchers with the ability to extract
precise measurements and quantitative data from imaging experiments.
Automated algorithms can track the dynamics of lamellipodia and
filopodia, enabling the quantification of parameters such as protrusion
length, speed, and branching patterns. These tools facilitate
large-scale data analysis and contribute to a more systematic
understanding of the factors influencing protrusion dynamics
[70–72].