Cisco Webex, Online seminar
(線上演講 Cisco Webex)
Modeling the Directionality of Cell Migration in Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transitions with Non-Smooth Dynamical Systems
Steffen Plunder (Kyoto University)
Abstract
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) are central to embryogenesis, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. During EMT, epithelial cells lose apical–basal polarity and acquire migratory behavior. A key open question is which mechanisms determine the direction of migration.
We developed an agent-based model of early EMT-driven migration using non-smooth dynamical systems (differential inclusions), simulated via Position-Based Dynamics (PBD) [1]. Our ensemble simulations showed that migration direction depends little on EMT timing but strongly on rapid apical movements before cell division. In vivo experiments confirmed this link between apical movement and migration direction [2, 3].
Our computational model also enables exploration of scenarios inaccessible to experiments, such as varying phenotypic heterogeneity. Contrary to textbook implications, our results suggest that there is not one ideal strategy, but cells instead use multiple strategies to establish migratory direction.
References:
[1] S. Plunder, S. Merino-Aceituno, Convergence proof for first-order position-based dynamics: An efficient scheme for inequality constrained ODEs. arXiv (2023).
[2] S. Plunder et al., Modelling variability and heterogeneity of EMT scenarios highlights nuclear positioning and protrusions as main drivers of extrusion. Nature Communications (2024).
[3] https://semtor.github.io/ Standalone EMT simulator (Online).
Meeting number (access code): 2519 340 6122
Meeting password: dN82UMjUxD8
Organizers: Chueh-Hsin Chang (CCU), Jia-Yuan Dai (NTHU), Bo-Chih Huang (CCU), Chih-Chiang Huang (CCU), Chang-Hong Wu (NYCU)
