Mathematical Models for Cell Migration with Real-Time Cell Cycle Dynamics.

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Mathematical Biology
• Biophysics

Background:

• The fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator (FUCCI) visualizes G1 (red) and S/G2/M (green) cell cycle phases.
• FUCCI provides real-time cell cycle dynamics, enabling studies on cell migration, invasion, and wound healing.
• Understanding cell cycle dynamics in relation to spatial factors is crucial for biological research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel mathematical models describing cell migration and cell cycle dynamics using FUCCI.
• To model the fundamental G1 and S/G2/M phases, and an extended model including early S phase.
• To validate model predictions against experimental data from FUCCI-transduced melanoma cells.

Main Methods:

• Development of fundamental and extended mathematical models for cell cycle dynamics.
• Numerical solutions of models, including traveling wave analysis.
• Experimental validation using FUCCI-transduced melanoma cells in scratch assays.

Main Results:

• The fundamental model accurately describes spatial and temporal cell density patterns observed in experiments.
• Numerical solutions yield traveling waves, characterized by moving wavefronts and pulses.
• An analytical expression for minimum wave speed was derived and confirmed.

Conclusions:

• The developed mathematical models effectively describe FUCCI-indicated cell migration and cell cycle dynamics.
• Traveling wave solutions offer insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of cell movement.
• Model predictions align with experimental observations, supporting their utility in biological studies.