Modeling morphodynamic phenotypes and dynamic regimes of cell motion.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Biophysics
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Cell morphology and motion are regulated by shared cellular processes and signaling pathways.
• Mechanisms of cell propulsion may also drive diverse shape changes.
• Analyzing cell shape dynamics offers insights into cytoskeleton and signaling pathway activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of modeling morphodynamic phenotypes.
• To discuss experimental findings related to cell shape dynamics.
• To explore proposed mechanisms driving cell shape changes based on modeling.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on cell morphodynamics.
• Analysis of experimental data on cell shape and motion.
• Integration of computational modeling approaches.

Main Results:

• Pioneering experiments have identified morphodynamic phenotypes linked to dynamic regimes like oscillations and excitability.
• Modeling approaches are increasingly used to understand cell shape regulation.
• A growing body of evidence suggests shared mechanisms between cell propulsion and shape alteration.

Conclusions:

• Systematic and quantitative exploration of cell shape dynamics is underexplored but promising.
• Modeling and experimental data together provide insights into the mechanisms governing cell shape changes.
• Understanding morphodynamics is crucial for deciphering cellular regulation and function.