MorphoSim: an efficient and scalable phase-field framework for accurately simulating multicellular morphologies

Area of Science:

• Computational Biology
• Biophysics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• The phase field model is effective for simulating complex microstructures and has been used for cell modeling.
• High computational cost of 3D phase field models limits scalability for multicellular simulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve the efficiency and scalability of phase field modeling for biological systems.
• To develop a computational framework capable of simulating large numbers of interacting cells.

Main Methods:

• Developed an improved phase field model using a stabilized numerical scheme and modified volume constriction.
• Created a scalable phase-field framework named MorphoSim.
• Coupled the phase field model with in vivo imaging data for accurate reconstruction.

Main Results:

• MorphoSim is 100 times more efficient than previous phase field models.
• The framework can simulate over 100 mechanically interacting cells.
• Successfully reproduced embryonic morphogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Conclusions:

• The improved phase field model and MorphoSim framework significantly enhance the efficiency and scalability of cell simulations.
• MorphoSim accurately models complex multicellular behaviors, including assembly, self-repair, and dissociation in synthetic systems.
• This framework offers a powerful tool for studying developmental biology and synthetic multicellular systems.