Centre for Mathematics Medicine and Biology Seminar

Angelika Manhart, University College London (UCL)

Title: Mathematical modelling of positioning and size scaling of nuclei in multi-nucleated muscle cells

Abstract:

Proper cell organelle size and position is critical to a cell’s function. A fundamental role is played by the cell nucleus, which acts as its organisational centre. Muscles cells contain 10s–100s of nuclei and it is known that mispositioned muscle nuclei correlate with muscle diseases and injuries in humans.

Angelika will present differential equations-based modelling across several scales to give an explanation of

1. How nuclei position themselves in the developing muscle cell and
2. How the nuclear position links to its size (local regulation) and thereby function within the cell (global regulation).

They use a combination of coarse force-based models and detailed, stochastic models to predictions positions and reaction-diffusion equations to predict nuclear size.

Joint work with Alex Mogilner, experimental data by our collaborators Stefanie Windner and Mary Baylies