A multiscale model for simulation of morphogenesis

 

Mark Alber,

University of Notre Dame

 

In this talk we discuss different applications to modeling biological pattern formation of two different types of Cellular Automata: lattice-gas-based cellular automata (LGCA) and the extended cellular Potts model (CPM).

 

LGCA was originally developed for modeling ideal gases and fluids. We describe several extensions of the classical LGCA model to groups of self-driven biological cells including recent models for rippling, aggregation of cells and swarming in  myxobacteria, as well as to limb chondrogenesis in micromass culture.

 

The CPM is a more sophisticated CA which describes individual cells as extended objects of variable shape. We discuss various new extensions to the original Potts model and describe their application to morphogenesis, the development of a complex spatial structure by a collection of cells including cell sorting in aggregates of embryonic chicken cells. These models include intercellular and extracellular interactions, as well as cell growth.