Abstracts of Posters 8-th European Conference on Mathematical ...

<strong>European</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Ma<strong>th</strong>ematical and Theoretical Biology 2011
Multiscale modelling <strong>of</strong> biological systems: <strong>th</strong>e Chaste framework;
Tuesday, June 28, 11:00
Ornella Cominetti
University <strong>of</strong> Oxford
e-mail: cominetti@ma<strong>th</strong>s.ox.ac.uk
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Philip Maini
University <strong>of</strong> Oxford
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Helen Byrne
University <strong>of</strong> Oxford
Pr<strong>of</strong>. Angela Shifflet
W<strong>of</strong>ford College
Pr<strong>of</strong>. George Shifflet
W<strong>of</strong>ford College
Using a cell-vertex model to study <strong>th</strong>e role <strong>of</strong> differential
adhesion in <strong>th</strong>e intestinal crypt
A cell-based vertex model in Chaste was used to study differential adhesion and cell
positioning in <strong>th</strong>e intestinal crypt. The results were compared to <strong>th</strong>e ones obtained
using a different modelling framework, namely <strong>th</strong>e Potts model.
When directly comparing <strong>th</strong>e models simulations we see <strong>th</strong>at bo<strong>th</strong> models agree
wi<strong>th</strong> experimental data in transit time, migratory velocities and migratory patterns
<strong>of</strong> cells. However, <strong>th</strong>is is not <strong>th</strong>e case when comparing <strong>th</strong>e boundary between
differentiated and transit amplifying cells: while using <strong>th</strong>e Potts model a sharp
boundary can be observed, using <strong>th</strong>e vertex model such boundary is not seen.
Our results suggest <strong>th</strong>at different modelling frameworks can give different answers
when studying <strong>th</strong>e same phenomenon, reinforcing <strong>th</strong>e importance <strong>of</strong> testing
in more <strong>th</strong>an one modelling platform in order to obtain robust results.
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