Continuum-based computational models for cell and nuclear mechanics

Abstract

Deciphering the relationship between cellular processes and the structure of living cells is a key step toward understanding and predicting cell functions with direct implications for understanding human health and disease. The active nature of these cellular processes, which span several decades of spatial and temporal scales, pose significant challenges to unraveling this complex structure-function paradigm.Complementing novel experimental techniques with robust computational approaches capable of modeling mechanical response at varying scales provides new avenues to resolving this paradigm. We provide an overview of continuum-based computational approaches used in studying and interpreting responses of individual cells and nuclei, we outline techniques used for measuring the mechanical characteristics of living cells, and we discuss some of the key insights provided by these approaches.

Nonlinear Oscillations Induced by Follower Forces in Prestressed Clamped Rods Subjected to Drag

“…While the length scales are very small in these applications (ranging from around 1-500 lm) when compared with those in more industrial settings, dynamical principles underlying their structural stability remain similar. Indeed connections between mechanics at multiple length scales have been illustrated in other biological settings [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

Filament extensibility and shear stiffening control persistence of strain and loss of coherence in cross-linked motor-filament assemblies

“…µm -a range within physically observed lengths. Our results are also relevant to understanding the role of extensibility in soft filaments subject to follower forces [30] as well as to actively deformed two and three dimensional motor-filament networks [31][32][33] where motor properties may vary in response to the network elasticity.…”

A numerical model suggests the interplay between nuclear plasticity and stiffness during a perfusion assay

“…cell and the nucleus is discrete modelling, just considering the cell membrane or the nuclear envelope [31], another is an energetic approach [32], and finally, the cell or nucleus can be modeled through continuum mechanics [33]. Most continuum models describe the whole cell, with or without its nucleus as a separate compartment, but fewer model focus on the isolated nucleus, as reviewed in [34] and [16]. Our approach here is to propose a model which can be employed for both the isolated nucleus and the whole cell.…”