WFU Physics Colloquium

TITLE: Models and methods for quantifying cell movement

SPEAKER: Professor Timothy Elston,

TIME: Wednesday February 29, 2012 at 4:00 PM

PLACE: Room 101 Olin Physical Laboratory

Most cells possess the ability to change morphology or migrate in response to environmental cues. To understand the molecular mechanisms that drive cell movement requires a systems-level approach that combines computational approaches, including mathematical modeling and image analysis tools, with high resolution microscopy of living cells. Here we present several examples for how such an integrated research strategy has been successfully applied. First, we combine stochastic modeling with novel biosenors for monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of Rho GTPase activity to investigate the role of RhoG in cell polarization and migration. Next mathematical modeling and quantitative image analysis methods are used to establish the role of cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) proteins in vascular tube formation. Finally, we present a novel computational method for tracking and quantifying changes in cell shape.