PAIR Distinguished Lecture: Prof. FENG Xiqiao of Tsinghua University delivers “Multiscale Theory and Numerical Methods of Cell Dynamics”

Abstract

Physiological and pathological processes in living tissues always involve intricate interplay of biological, chemical, mechanical, and physical cues. Due to the intrinsic complexity and specificity in the geometric structures, physical properties and biological functions of cells, however, it remains a challenge to simulate the rich dynamic behaviors of cells. In this talk, multiscale theory and numerical methods of bio-chemo-mechanical coupling dynamic processes of cells will be presented. First, the dynamic instability of cells due to the feedback between mechanical and chemical factors is discussed. For example, we explain why spontaneous oscillation of collective cells may occur in such biological tissues as Drosophila amnioserosa. Second, the migration of collective cells is studied, both experimentally and theoretically. Time-independent statistical laws are derived for collective cells, and the high-order theory of entropy is used to decode the universality of the obtained scaling laws. Third, I will provide a multiscale numerical method of cell dynamics. Several examples are given to show the applications of this methods, for example, the metastasis of cancer cells.