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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 12: Active Matter II (joint session BP/CPP/DY)
BP 12.11: Talk
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, 12:15–12:30, H 1028
Modelling cancer metastasis with active nematics — •Josep-Maria Armengol-Collado1, Luca Giomi1, Oleksandr Chepizhko2, Stephanie Alexander3, Esther Wagena3, Bettina Weigelin3, Peter Friedl3, Stefano Zapperi4, and Caterina A.M. La Porta5 — 1Instituut-Lorentz, Universiteit Leiden, P.O. Box 9506, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands — 2Faculty of Physics, University of Viena, Boltzmanngasse 5, Viena, Austria — 3Department of Medical Biosciences, Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands — 4Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Physics, University of Milan, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milan, Italy — 5Center for complexity and Biosystems, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
Tumor invasion is characterized by the coordinated movement of cancer cells through complex tissue structures. Here, we focus on recent in vivo experiments where metastasis is observed through the dermis of a living mouse, and low-cohesive modes of collective migration have been identified. Interestingly, local rotational patterns give rise to antiparallel flow tracks that deform the extracellular matrix and establish a sustained flow of cells. To model this phenomenon, we employ the framework of nematic liquid crystals in the so-called "active turbulence" regime. Analysing the effects of confinement and the role of topological defects we provide significant insights to better understand the underlying mechanisms of cancer cell migration.
Keywords: active nematics; cancer metastasis; active turbulence; topological defects