Matrix Alignment and cell motility

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 - 3:15pm - 4:30pm
Regents 109
Leonard Sander
University of Michigan

We consider cell motility (such as invasion by cancer cells) through the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). We argue on the basis of experiments that the cells are guided by the matrix, and, in turn, remodel it. The upshot is that cells are very sensitive to alignment of the ECM, and non-linear elastic properties are important for this effect.

With this in mind we formulate a Landau-type theory for ECM that are composed of biopolymers such as collagen. We use the alignment tensor as part of the order parameter, and show that a number of important effects follow naturally from this approach.

REFRESHMENTS AT 3:00 PM IN REGENTS HALL 109

Host: Daniel Blair
Discussion Leader: Daniel Blair