Computationally modelling cell proliferation: A review

Abstract

Cell proliferation is vital for the development and homeostasis of the human body. For such to occur, cells go through the cell cycle during which they replicate their genetic material and ultimately complete cellular division, when one cell divides into two new cells with equal genetic material. However, if there are some errors or abnormalities during the cell cycle that disrupt the balance between cell death and proliferation, severe problems can occur, such as tumour development, which is currently one of the leading causes of death in the world. Nowadays, mathematical and computational models are used to understand and study several biological mechanisms and processes, namely cellular proliferation. Over the last forty-five years, several models have attempted to describe cell proliferation and its regulation. Due to the complexity of the process, numerous assumptions and simplifications have been considered. This work presents a review of some of these models, focusing mainly on mammalian or generic eukaryotic models. Previously published continuum, discrete and hybrid approaches are presented and compared, in order to understand and highlight the relevance and capabilities of these models, their shortcomings and future challenges.