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arXiv · 2106.01938

Three-dimensional phase field model for actin-based cell membrane dynamics

Mohammad Abu Hamed·Alexander A. Nepomnyashchy
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Abstract

The interface dynamics of a 3D cell immersed in a 3D extracellular matrix is investigated. We suggest a 3D generalization of a known 2D minimal phase field model suggested in [1] for the description of keratocyte motility. Our model consists of two coupled evolution equations for the order parameter and a three-dimensional vector field describing the actin network polarization (orientation). We derive a closed evolutionary integro-differential equation governing the interface dynamics of a 3D cell. The equation includes the normal velocity of the membrane, its curvature, cell volume relaxation, and a parameter that is determined by the non-equilibrium effects in the cytoskeleton. This equation can be considered as a 3D generalization of the 2D case that was derived in [2].

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Mohammad Abu Hamed, Alexander A. Nepomnyashchy. 2021-06-03. Three-dimensional phase field model for actin-based cell membrane dynamics. https://arxiv.org/abs/2106.01938

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