2D migrating cell

About the Model

For details about the model, we refer to the paper. Alternatively, you can check out the following online, interactive explorables to learn more about Cellular Potts Models in general or the Act-CPM, specifically (Wortel and Textor, 2020).

Suggestions

Try the following:

• Set λ_act or max_act to 0. You should see that the cell cannot break symmetry and form stable protrusions to migrate.
• Set λ_act back to 300 and max_act to a very high value, e.g. 10000. Click "reseed cell". You should see that the cell again has a hard time breaking symmetry, this time because the activity is high everywhere (and thus, there is no polarity gradient).
• Refresh the page to go back to the default settings, and watch the cell for a while. Watch what happens when the cell turns; does the protrusion decay completely, shift along the cell perimeter ("angular diffusion"), split into parts, or "lose" the competition with another protrusion formed elsewhere?
• Strengthen the protrusive force ΔH_act by increasing λ_act (e.g. 1000). You should see that the cell moves faster, and also changes shape.
• Decrease λ_act to 100. You should see that the protrusion becomes smaller, the cell moves more slowly and stops/turns often. What happens now when the cell turns (protrusion decay/angular diffusion/protrusion splitting/competing protrusions)?
• At λ_act = 300, now increase max_act to 50. You should see that the activity gradient reaches farther into the cell, and that this coincides with a broadening of the overall cell shape.

References