Mathematical modelling of cell migration

Butler, G., Rudge, J. and Dash, P. R. (2019) Mathematical modelling of cell migration. Essays in Biochemistry, 63 (5). pp. 631-637. ISSN 0071-1365 doi: 10.1042/EBC20190020

Abstract/Summary

The complexity of biological systems creates challenges for fully understanding their behaviour. This is particularly true for cell migration which requires the co-ordinated activity of hundreds of individual components within cells. Mathematical modelling can help understand these complex systems by breaking the system into discrete steps which can then be interrogated in silico. In this review, we highlight scenarios in cell migration where mathematical modelling can be applied and discuss what types of modelling are most suited. Almost any aspect of cell migration is amenable to mathematical modelling from the modelling of intracellular processes such as chemokine receptor signalling and actin filament branching to larger scale processes such as the movement of individual cells or populations of cells through their environment. Two common ways of approaching this modelling are the use of models based on differential equations or agent-based modelling. The application of both these approaches to cell migration are discussed with specific examples along with common software tools to facilitate the process for non-mathematicians. We also highlight the challenges of modelling cell migration and the need for rigorous experimental work to effectively parameterise a model.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/87231
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences > Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Uncontrolled Keywords	cell biology, cell migration, computational models
Publisher	Portland Press Ltd
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