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- Title
Tools for computational analysis of moving boundary problems in cellular mechanobiology.
- Authors
DiNapoli, Kathleen T.; Robinson, Douglas N.; Iglesias, Pablo A.
- Abstract
A cell's ability to change shape is one of the most fundamental biological processes and is essential for maintaining healthy organisms. When the ability to control shape goes awry, it often results in a diseased system. As such, it is important to understand the mechanisms that allow a cell to sense and respond to its environment so as to maintain cellular shape homeostasis. Because of the inherent complexity of the system, computational models that are based on sound theoretical understanding of the biochemistry and biomechanics and that use experimentally measured parameters are an essential tool. These models involve an inherent feedback, whereby shape is determined by the action of regulatory signals whose spatial distribution depends on the shape. To carry out computational simulations of these moving boundary problems requires special computational techniques. A variety of alternative approaches, depending on the type and scale of question being asked, have been used to simulate various biological processes, including cell motility, division, mechanosensation, and cell engulfment. In general, these models consider the forces that act on the system (both internally generated, or externally imposed) and the mechanical properties of the cell that resist these forces. Moving forward, making these techniques more accessible to the nonexpert will help improve interdisciplinary research thereby providing new insight into important biological processes that affect human health.
- Subjects
CELLULAR mechanics; CELL motility; BIOCHEMISTRY
- Publication
WIREs: Mechanisms of Disease, 2021, Vol 13, Issue 4, p1
- ISSN
2692-9368
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/wsbm.1514