Interacting active surfaces: A model for three-dimensional cell aggregates.

ABSTRACT: We introduce a modelling and simulation framework for cell aggregates in three dimensions based on interacting active surfaces. Cell mechanics is captured by a physical description of the acto-myosin cortex that includes cortical flows, viscous forces, active tensions, and bending moments. Cells interact with each other via short-range forces capturing the effect of adhesion molecules. We discretise the model equations using a finite element method, and provide a parallel implementation in C++. We discuss examples of application of this framework to small and medium-sized aggregates: we consider the shape and dynamics of a cell doublet, a planar cell sheet, and a growing cell aggregate. This framework opens the door to the systematic exploration of the cell to tissue-scale mechanics of cel

SUBMITTER: Torres-Sanchez A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9803321 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature