Organizers:
Fabian Spill (University of Birmingham), Anotida Madzvamuse, University of British Columbia
Description:
Cell and tissue architecture, defined by both geometry and topology, plays a central role in determining cellular behavior and function. From the spatial organization of organelles to large-scale tissue patterns, structural constraints influence intracellular dynamics, mechanical properties, and signaling pathways. This minisymposium will highlight advances in mathematical and computational modeling that reveal how geometric and topological features govern processes such as cell polarization, migration, division, and tissue morphogenesis. Talks will explore approaches including reaction-diffusion systems, mechanical models, and network-based methods to infer functional outcomes from structural properties. By integrating theoretical frameworks with experimental data, this session aims to uncover fundamental principles linking form and function across scales, offering new insights into the physical basis of biological organization.
Alex Grigas
Syracuse University"Modeling fluidity in stellate mesenchymal tissues"
Sharon Minsuk
Indiana U., Bloomington"The Role of Embryo, Tissue, and Cell Shape in Morphogenesis: Modeling the Cellular Dynamics of Tissue Deformation"
Margherita De Marzio
Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital"Understanding the Role of Surface Curvature on Epithelial Plasticity"
Padmini Rangamani
UCSD"Nanoscale curvature of the plasma membrane regulates mechanoadaptation through nuclear deformation and rupture"
