  Cell shape has long been used to discern cell phenotypes and states, but the
underlying premise has not been quantitatively tested. Here, we show that a
single cell image can be used to discriminate its migration behavior by
analyzing a large number of cell migration data in vitro. We analyzed a large
number of two-dimensional cell migration images over time and found that the
cell shape variation space has only six dimensions, and migration behavior can
be determined by the coordinates of a single cell image in this 6-dimensional
shape-space. We further show that this is possible because persistent cell
migration is characterized by spatial-temporally coordinated protrusion and
contraction, and a distribution signature in the shape-space. Our findings
provide a quantitative underpinning for using cell morphology to differentiate
cell dynamical behavior.
