Here I show the process of analyzing time series experimental images of an MDCK cell monolayer (a) to extract measurements of shape (b) and velocity (c). These analyses are then used to guide and inform the generation of monolayers of deformable particles (d) with which we conduct our = computational studies. Experimental images sourced from Doostmohammadi, Amin, et al. “Celebrating Soft Matter’s 10th Anniversary: Cell division: a source of active stress in cellular monolayers.” Soft Matter 11.37 (2015): 7328-7336.
Emmanuel Mintah ‘26
Home Department: Biomedical Engineering (O’Hern Lab)
Research Project: Modeling the Mesoscale Geometry and Mechanics of Cell Division and Motility
My research characterizes the geometry and mechanics of individual cells undergoing division and the collective motion of cells in aggregates using discrete element method (DEM) simulations of deformable particles. The computational models are validated through image analyses of experiments on HeLa cells undergoing division and MDCK cells undergoing collective motion in cell monolayers and spheroidal aggregates. These model systems provide key physical insights into the effects of cell shape change and collective motion during developmental processes and cancer invasion.
Relevant Publications:
Ton et al. (2024) “Mechanical plasticity of cell membranes enhances epithelial wound closure”
