A general computational framework for the dynamics of single- and multi-phase vesicles and membranes

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Computational Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Cell membranes and vesicles are crucial for cellular functions, involving complex dynamics and spatial heterogeneity.
• Simulating large-scale membrane deformations, especially with varying composition, presents significant computational challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a general computational framework for simulating the dynamics of membranes and vesicles.
• To accurately model large-scale deformations and fission events in heterogeneous membranes.

Main Methods:

• Developed a generalized energy functional for membranes, incorporating shape invariants and line discontinuities.
• Constructed a stable level set-based algorithm to simulate overdamped membrane dynamics.
• Applied the method to single-phase and multiphase vesicles, analyzing equilibrium shapes and fission conditions.

Main Results:

• The simulation framework accurately predicts the shapes of single-phase vesicles across various parameters.
• Successfully modeled dynamics of multiphase vesicles, including fission near phase boundaries.
• Results align well with experimental measurements of vesicle shapes.

Conclusions:

• The developed computational framework provides a robust tool for studying complex membrane dynamics.
• This method enables prediction of equilibrium shapes and fission events in heterogeneous membranes.
• Advances understanding of membrane physics and cellular processes involving membrane deformation.