Here we demonstrate that EGFR dynamics can serve as a physical biomarker to distinguish highly-invasive breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and BT549) from other subtypes (Fig. 1), to monitor phenotypic transition of cells (e.g., EMT in MCCF10A, Fig. 3D), and to probe the changes in the cellular microenvironment (reorganization of cortical actin meshwork in Fig. 3E). The gene discussed is EGFR; the disease is breast carcinoma.