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Cells can detect chemical cues in their environment and reorganize the cytoskeleton to migrate toward them or away from them. This directional migration, called chemotaxis, is essential during embryogenesis and development, immune response, tissue repair and regeneration, and reproduction. These chemical cues can either attract or repel the cell's movement. For example, axon development is determined by a combination of chemoattractants and chemorepellents that direct the growing axon...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Planar Gradient Diffusion System to Investigate Chemotaxis in a 3D Collagen Matrix

Planar Gradient Diffusion System to Investigate Chemotaxis in a 3D Collagen Matrix

Published on: June 12, 2015

Modelling Chemotactic Motion of Cells in Biological Tissues.

Bakhtier Vasiev¹

¹Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

|November 1, 2016

Summary

This study models how cell movement and morphogen dynamics interact. It identifies four chemotactic scenarios driving cell migration essential for development and metastasis.

Area of Science:

* Developmental Biology
* Mathematical Biology
* Cell Biology

Background:

* Cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration are fundamental to development.
* Morphogen dynamics and cell movement are interlinked, influencing cellular differentiation.
* Chemotaxis, or cell movement towards chemical signals, enhances morphogenetic and cell movement interplay.

Purpose of the Study:

* To introduce a mathematical model analyzing the interplay between cell movement and morphogen concentration.
* To investigate how this interaction leads to steady cell migration and traveling morphogen waves.
* To identify distinct chemotactic scenarios governing cell migration.

Main Methods:

* Development of a mathematical model to simulate cell migration and morphogen dynamics.

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Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

Published on: September 14, 2016

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Last Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Planar Gradient Diffusion System to Investigate Chemotaxis in a 3D Collagen Matrix

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Published on: June 12, 2015

Traction Microscopy Integrated with Microfluidics for Chemotactic Collective Migration

Traction Microscopy Integrated with Microfluidics for Chemotactic Collective Migration

Published on: October 13, 2019

Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

Imaging G Protein-coupled Receptor-mediated Chemotaxis and its Signaling Events in Neutrophil-like HL60 Cells

Published on: September 14, 2016

* Analysis of the model to identify conditions for steady cell movement and wave formation.

* Classification of four specific chemotactic scenarios for cell migration.

Main Results:

* Identified four distinct chemotactic scenarios enabling cell migration in tissues.
* Scenario 1: Cells migrating away from a chemical they produce (autorepulsion).
* Scenario 2: Cells migrating towards a chemical produced by surrounding cells (heteroattraction).
* Scenario 3: Surrounding cells migrating away from a chemical produced by moving cells (heterorepulsion).
* Scenario 4: Surrounding cells migrating towards a chemical they produce (autorrepulsion).

Conclusions:

* The proposed mechanisms explain cell migration during embryonic development.
* These findings are relevant to understanding the spread of metastatic cells.
* The model provides a framework for studying cell-morphogen interactions in biological systems.