Speaker
Description
Biological tissues exhibit heterogeneity across multiple scales, from genetic to non-genetic. In epithelial layers, variability in mechanical properties such as adhesion and motility, together with differences in cell–cell interactions, strongly influences collective dynamics and tissue organization.
We present a 3D multiphase-field model \cite{monfared2025multiphase} of confluent cell monolayers in which each cell is described by a phase field whose evolution is governed by motility, interfacial tension, adhesion, and volume constraints. Mechanical heterogeneity is introduced through cell-dependent parameters controlling passive and active contributions. We apply this framework to investigate cell extrusion in epithelial monolayers \cite{balasubramaniam2025dynamic}. Combining simulations with experiments on epithelial cells with different levels of E-cadherin–mediated adhesion, we show how mechanical properties determine whether extrusion is apoptotic or live and whether it occurs apically or basally, leading to cell invasion into soft collagen gels.
Hence, by incorporating cell heterogeneity at various levels, our model provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding the role of mechanical heterogeneity on collective behaviour in tissues..
Bibliography
@article{monfared2025multiphase,
title={Multiphase-field models of tissues},
author={Monfared, Siavash and Arda{\v{s}}eva, Aleksandra and Doostmohammadi, Amin},
journal={Annual Review of Condensed Matter Physics},
volume={17},
year={2025},
publisher={Annual Reviews}
}
@article{balasubramaniam2025dynamic,
title={Dynamic forces shape the survival fate of eliminated cells},
author={Balasubramaniam, Lakshmi and Monfared, Siavash and Arda{\v{s}}eva, Aleksandra and Rosse, Carine and Schoenit, Andreas and Dang, Tien and Maric, Chrystelle and Hautefeuille, Mathieu and Kocgozlu, Leyla and Chilupuri, Ranjith and others},
journal={Nature physics},
volume={21},
number={2},
pages={269--278},
year={2025},
publisher={Nature Publishing Group UK London}
}
