In silico avatars of cells to predict cell migration on travelling waves
The cell model follows the progression of the wave and migrates indefinitely as long as the wave exists. Influenced by the travelling wave, the nucleus moves towards the concavity and the cell migrates in that direction. When retaining the same wavelength and velocity parameters, the speed of the cellular avatar decreased by a third when we lowered the amplitude of the wave 5 µm. But, with a wave amplitude of 20µm, cell model migrated 1.5 times faster. Using the model, concerning the impact of travelling waves on cell migration, we answer a question that would otherwise be hard to directly address by experimental means. We propose the first in-silico proof-of-concept to guide cell migration by generating travelling waves. This will help in the designing of dynamic substrates to stimulate cell migration in vitro. Our in-silico avatar of migrating cells can later be implemented for cell engineering and lab-on-chip technology, as a live augmented reality tool to drive smart substrate actuation and control cells in vitro.
Institut des Sciences du Mouvement Etienne-Jules Marey | Aix Marseille Université - Tous droits réservés - Mentions légales