#9 Cells that curve

The migration of cells is essential for a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. Such processes include morphogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, and tumor metastasis. As a physicist, one can reduce migration to its basic mechanisms of adhesion, formation of membrane protrusions and tension, cytoskeletal polymerization, and contraction. All these mechanisms can be modulated by the substrate topography.

For this project, we will study the effect of the substrate curvature at micrometer scale, and how it regulates cell mechanical stability and motility. We will develop a mechanical model for single cell dynamics, using a subcellular elements model, and show how the cell mechanically responds to the topology of its surroundings.