Modelling cell movement and chemotaxis pseudopod based feedback

Neilson, Matthew Paterson and Mackenzie, John and Webb, Steven and Insall, Robert H. (2011) Modelling cell movement and chemotaxis pseudopod based feedback. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, 33 (3). 1035–1057. ISSN 1064-8275 (https://doi.org/10.1137/100788938)

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Abstract

A computational framework is presented for the simulation of eukaryotic cell migration and chemotaxis. An empirical pattern formation model, based on a system of non-linear reaction-diffusion equations, is approximated on an evolving cell boundary using an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian surface finite element method (ALE-SFEM). The solution state is used to drive a mechanical model of the protrusive and retractive forces exerted on the cell boundary. Movement of the cell is achieved using a level set method. Results are presented for cell migration with and without chemotaxis. The simulated behaviour is compared with experimental results of migrating Dictyostelium discoideum cells.