A simple model of Keratocyte membrane dynamics
Abstract
We perform an analytical investigation of the cell interface dynamics in the framework of a minimal phase field model of cell motility suggested in [1], which consists of two coupled evolution equations for the order parameter and a two-dimensional vector field describing the actin network polarization (orientation). We derive a closed evolutionary integro-differential equation governing the cell interface dynamics. The equation includes the normal velocity of the membrane, curvature, volume relaxation, and a parameter that is determined by the non-equilibrium effects in the cytoskeleton. This equation can be simplified to obtain a Burgers-like equation. A condition on the system parameters for the existence of a stationary cell shape is obtained.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1910.01421,
title = {A simple model of Keratocyte membrane dynamics},
author = {Mohammad Abu Hamed and Alexander A. Nepomnyashchy},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1910.01421},
year = {2019}
}