Regensburg 2007 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 24: Cell Mechanics (in vivo)

BP 24.2: Talk

Thursday, March 29, 2007, 10:15–10:30, H44

Cellular pattern formation by strain-mediated active switching — •Raja Paul and Ulrich Schwarz — University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 293, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Using Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate the time evolution of the force generated by an ensemble of cells placed initially at random in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is modelled as a two-dimensional cable network with triangular or square lattice geometry and the cells are modelled as force contraction dipoles. We observe various patterns depending on prestrain, geometry, boundary conditions, elastic moduli, cell density, density of ECM crosslinks and temperature. Recent experiments of cellular assembly in a clamped collagen matrix show that force increases with time. This observation can be explained in our model by considering a strain mediated switching of cells into the active state and subsequent contraction from an initial quiescent state.