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].