MS07 - CDEV-06

Modeling the Role of Geometry and Topology in Shaping Cell Behavior, Function, and Tissue Patterns (Part 2)

Thursday, July 17 at 4:00pm

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Note: this minisymposia has multiple sessions. The other session is: and Part-1.

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.

Gulsemay Yigit

The University of British Columbia

"Reaction-Diffusion Systems in Bilayer Geometries with Variable Width"

In this talk, we study reaction-diffusion systems when the width of the bilayer geometry is varied. Our aim is to understand the influence of bilayer geometries, and their role in pattern formation. Bilayer geometries are fundamental in cellular and developmental biology; bilayer structures of the cytosol-cortex mechanism significantly affect the diffusion and reaction rates of molecules which are essential in cell signaling. As the width of the thin layer geometries becomes smaller and smaller, the Laplace operator representing classical planar diffusion becomes the Laplace-Beltrami operator representing surface diffusion. Furthermore, we exploit the thin-layer approximation to explore and understand conditions for the diffusion-driven instabilities. Finally, we present bulk- and surface-finite element simulations of the reaction-diffusion systems on bilayer geometries with variable width sizes.

Maryam Parvizi

University of Birmingham

"A Mathematical Energy-Based Framework for Modeling Single-Cell Epithelial Migration"

We propose a comprehensive energy-based mathematical framework for modeling singlecell epithelial migration, integrating key intracellular mechanisms that drive motility. This model unifies the dynamic interactions among endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology, cytoskeletal architecture, cell shape regulation, and migratory polarization. Specifically, our framework accounts for (i) structural transitions in the ER between sheet-like and tubular states, (ii) stochastic polymerization and depolymerization of actin filaments and microtubules, and (iii) the establishment and maintenance of front–rear polarity. These transitions are represented as metastable states within a global free-energy landscape, where mechanical coupling between the ER and cytoskeleton governs intracellular force distribution, organelle positioning, and shape adaptation. Central to this model is an extension of the Ginzburg–Landau theory , which we apply to describe key biophysical transitions: actin filament polymerization and depolymerization, microtubule instability, structural shifts in ER morphology (tubules versus sheets), and the establishment of spatial polarity. These phenomena are treated as transitions between metastable states governed by a global free energy functional. The ER–cytoskeleton interaction is modeled as a mechanically coupled system that influences force generation, intracellular trafficking, and front–rear organization.

Stephanie Portet

University of Manitoba

"Transport of intermediate filaments in cells"

Intermediate filaments are key components of the cytoskeleton, playing essential roles in cell mechanics, signalling and migration. Their organization into networks is a major determinant of their cellular functions. The spatiotemporal organization of intermediate filaments results from the interplay between assembly and disassembly processes, along with various modes of intracellular transport. In this talk, I will provide an overview of mathematical models used to investigate different aspects of the intracellular transport mechanisms of intermediate filaments. Co-authors – John C. Dallon (Department of Mathematics, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utha, USA) Sandrine Etienne-Manneville (CPMC, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France) and Youngmin Park (Department of Mathematics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA)

Vijay Rajagopal

The University of Melbourne

"MitoMimics: Synthetic microscopy timelapse data for zero-annotation AI segmentation and tracking of mitochondrial dynamics"

Mitochondrial dynamics—the motion, fusion, division, and turnover of mitochondria—govern their capacity to produce energy and execute signaling roles. The growing interest in live imaging and tracking of these dynamics is hampered by current mitochondrial segmentation methods, which show limited accuracy, especially with low signal-to-noise ratio data. To address this challenge, we introduce MitoMimics, a software program that generates synthetic time-lapse movies of mitochondrial dynamics. AI models trained on MitoMimics-generated data outperform existing methods in mitochondria image segmentation. Furthermore, MitoMimics offers advanced capabilities: it segments individual mitochondria, tracks fusion and fission events, and maps emergent mitochondrial network dynamics by automated graph network construction and analysis.

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Annual Meeting for the Society for Mathematical Biology, 2025.