Modeling differential cell motion in the Dictyostelium discoideum slug
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Differential cell motion plays an important role in the front to back pattern formed during the slug stage of the organism Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd). The slug has at least two cell types: prespore cells and prestalk cells. As the slug moves the prestalk cells aggregate to the front of the moving slug while the prespore cells aggregate to the rear. In this talk I will discuss two force based mathematical model: one where cells attach and detach to one another via discrete adhesions with stochastic dynamics. In the other model the cell shapes are constrained to be ellipsoids and the adhesion is simplified and modeled as drag forces. Using simulations, different strategies that cells could employ are explored which cause differential cell motion leading to this front to back pattern.
