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Updated: May 14, 2026
07:08
Modeling and Imaging 3-Dimensional Collective Cell Invasion
Published on: December 7, 2011
Cutting through the complexity of cell collectives
Carey D Nadell1, Vanni Bucci, Knut Drescher
1Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. cnadell@princeton.edu
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|February 1, 2013
Summary
Cell collectives exhibit emergent properties like virulence and biofilm formation. Combining mechanistic theory with ecological and evolutionary models offers a powerful strategy to understand these complex cell groups.
Area of Science:
- Multicellularity
- Theoretical Biology
- Evolutionary Ecology
Background:
- Cell groups exhibit emergent properties influencing environments.
- Collective behaviors underpin virulence, tumor growth, and biofilm formation.
- Complexity arises from coupled physical and biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a hybrid modeling approach for understanding cell collectives.
- To clarify how cell groups form, change composition, and interact with environments.
- To analyze the evolution of cooperative enzyme secretion in bacterial biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Combining mechanistic theory with theoretical ecology and evolution.
- Utilizing dimensionless parameter groups.
- Employing individual-based modeling and evolutionary theory.
Main Results:
- The hybrid modeling approach provides a framework for dissecting cell collective complexity.
- Demonstrated analysis of cooperative enzyme secretion evolution in bacterial biofilms.
- Identified key concepts for understanding emergent properties in cell groups.
Conclusions:
- A hybrid modeling approach integrating mechanistic theory, ecology, and evolution is crucial for understanding cell collectives.
- This strategy aids in clarifying group formation, dynamics, and environmental interactions.
- The approach is applicable to diverse biological systems, including bacterial biofilms.
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