Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility

Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.

Cell Migration

Cell Migration

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

Cell Migration

Cell Migration

Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

Role of Myosin in Cell Migration

Myosins are multimeric motor proteins involved in various cellular processes such as migration, adhesion, and proliferation. Myosin II is the most common type in animal cells, which binds and cross-links actin filaments.
Myosin II is a hexamer comprising two heavy chains with globular heads and coiled-coil tails, two regulatory light chains, and two essential light chains. The ATPase sites on the myosin heads hydrolyze ATP, and the released phosphate generates the force for contraction. It is...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

On the Importance of Including Cohesive Zone Models in Modelling Mixed-Mode Aneurysm Rupture.

Cardiovascular engineering and technology·2024

Same author

Understanding the deformation gradient in Abaqus and key guidelines for anisotropic hyperelastic user material subroutines (UMATs).

Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials·2021

Same author

Influence of shape-memory stent grafts on local aortic compliance.

Biomechanics and modeling in mechanobiology·2021

Same author

Development of an FEA framework for analysis of subject-specific aortic compliance based on 4D flow MRI.

Acta biomaterialia·2021

Same author

A Dual-VENC Four-Dimensional Flow MRI Framework for Analysis of Subject-Specific Heterogeneous Nonlinear Vessel Deformation.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2020

Same author

A new anisotropic soft tissue model for elimination of unphysical auxetic behaviour.

Journal of biomechanics·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

A Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Migration by the Phagokinetic Track Motility Assay

A Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Migration by the Phagokinetic Track Motility Assay

Published on: December 4, 2012

Mathematical models of cell motility.

Brendan Flaherty¹, J P McGarry, P E McHugh

¹National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. brendan.flaherty@nuigalway.ie

Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics

|September 18, 2007

Summary

Mathematical models are crucial for understanding cell motility, a fundamental biological process. This review explores current models and proposes future directions for advancing cell migration research.

More Related Videos

Concentric Gel System to Study the Biophysical Role of Matrix Microenvironment on 3D Cell Migration

Concentric Gel System to Study the Biophysical Role of Matrix Microenvironment on 3D Cell Migration

Published on: April 3, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

A Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Migration by the Phagokinetic Track Motility Assay

A Quantitative Evaluation of Cell Migration by the Phagokinetic Track Motility Assay

Published on: December 4, 2012

Concentric Gel System to Study the Biophysical Role of Matrix Microenvironment on 3D Cell Migration

Concentric Gel System to Study the Biophysical Role of Matrix Microenvironment on 3D Cell Migration

Published on: April 3, 2015

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Computational Biology
Cell Biology

Background:

Cell motility is vital for biological development, function, and maintenance.
Experimental studies have advanced understanding, but mathematical modeling is poised for future leadership.
The complexity of cell motility necessitates advanced computational approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current mathematical models of cell motility.
To explore the rationale and methodologies behind these models.
To identify key areas for future advancements in the field.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on mathematical modeling of cell motility.
Analysis of the biophysical and biochemical principles underlying cell migration.
Discussion of computational strategies for simulating cell behavior.

Main Results:

Current mathematical models offer powerful tools for exploring cell motility scenarios.
Computational simulations allow investigation of complex biophysical and biochemical processes.
Accurate foundational definitions are essential for robust model development.

Conclusions:

Mathematical modeling is essential for deciphering the complexities of cell motility.
Further development requires well-defined basic principles to avoid model conjecture.
This review highlights pathways for advancing computational approaches in cell migration research.