Project description
Modelling cell-generated forces restructuring their microenvironments
Cells constantly sense and adapt to signals in their microenvironment. In addition to biochemical signals, cells respond to mechanical or biophysical signals and can also send them. The mechanisms are poorly understood. Recent research has revealed cell-generated forces to be able to restructure a cell’s underlying substrate. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TopCellComm project will develop a computational framework to model these forces. Combining phase-field formalism with a mathematical model of nonlinear substrate deformation, the framework will shed light on the mechanisms underlying interactions of single cells and cell pairs with the underling substrates. The ultimate goal is a predictive tool to support biomaterial design for regenerative medicine.
Objective
The processes through which cells sense, adapt, and respond to their environment are fundamental to development and homeostasis. Mechanical forces, exerted and experienced by cells, can act as messengers, however, the exact mechanisms by which cells perceive and generate forces have not been elucidated yet. Here, I aim to explore a phenomenon, in which cells autonomously exploit folding and topographical restructuring of their underlying substrates as a means of self-induced guidance and communication mechanism to coordinate their individual and collective behaviours. Guided by the Prof. Doostmohammadi groups recent collaborative study, revealing cell-generated forces from the folding patterns in real-time, I will develop a computational framework and will use it to numerically dissect the crosstalk between cell activity and self-generated patterns of substrate deformation. To model cell-generated forces, I will employ the phase-field formalism coupled will be coupled to the mathematical model of nonlinear substrate deformation. By utilising available data, I will calibrate the model and carry out simulations to uncover the underlying mechanics of single cell interactions with the substrate and emergent topographic anisotropies. I will then extend the model to consider interaction between pairs of cells on a substrate and elucidate the phenomena of topography-mediated cell communication. These actions will act as a first step towards the interconnection between multicellular-scale self-organized topographic modification and cell migration. Thus, this project at the intersection of mathematics, biology, and bioengineering will be a significant step towards delivering a state-of-the-art predictive tool for the design of biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology industrial biotechnology biomaterials
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1165 KOBENHAVN
Denmark
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.