Manipulating cell shape by placing cells into micro-fabricated chambers.

Cell shape is an important cellular parameter that influences the spatial organization and function of cells. However, it has often been challenging to study the effects of cell shape because of difficulties in experimentally controlling cell shape in a defined way. We describe here a method of physically manipulating sea urchin cells into specified shapes by inserting them into micro-fabricated chambers of different shapes. This method allows for generation of large systematic and quantitative data sets and may be adaptable for different cell types and contexts.