Final Report Summary - INSILICO-CELL (Predictive modelling and simulation in mechano-chemo-biology: a computer multi-approach)
Collective cell migration is much more complex problem, where cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions can determine different emergent patterns of migration. Thus, we developed a generalized clutch model, in which local stick-slip dynamics define cell-matrix adhesions and cell-cell junctions. With this approach, we can simulate different collective patterns of migration in agreement with in-vitro experiments, such as, wound healing, durotaxis, jamming, angiogenesis and formation of spheroids.
INSILICO-CELL has also provided the development of different experimental and computational technologies. From a computational point of view, we have demonstrated that the use of hybrid techniques, combining finite element with particle-based approaches, is the most adequate way to simulate multicellular systems. From a experimental perspective, we have developed multiple cell in-vitro cultures by means of microfluidic chips that allow to understand the role of mechano-chemical on osteoblast and fibroblast migration. From microscope-based images we have quantified cell migration patterns, cell shape and matrix remodelling. These quantitative data have been used to calibrate parameters’model in order to achieve a real integration of experiments and simulations by means of Bayesian optimization.