3D modelling of intracellular active fibre networks for understanding plant development
Dr Tamsin Spelman (University of Cambridge)
Thursday 29th February 14:00-15:00 Maths 311B / Zoom (ID: 894 0173 1730)
Abstract
All Eukaryotic cells, including those that make up our own bodies, have a dynamic and active fibre network known as the cytoskeleton which plays a crucial role in many cellular functions, including structural support and organelle transport. The arrangement of these fibres is essential for facilitating directional cell growth to create the diverse cell shapes necessary for the function of the organism e.g. elongated cells needed for plant stems. In this talk I will discuss the interplay between cell geometry and the cytoskeleton in 3D.
First, we will consider how cell shape directly effects cytoskeleton alignment using our 3D cytoskeleton computational model and comparing to experimental data from shaped protoplast cells. Next, we will consider what happens when we remove all geometry control and allow the cytoskeleton fibres to be created and grow completely freely in 3D space. We will develop a 3D mathematical mean field theory model of the fibre network, compare to our 3D computational cytoskeleton model and contrast to previously developed mean-field models in 2D. Finally, we will consider the extreme geometry of a long, thin root hair cell where the cytoskeleton is under strong geometry control. We will consider the arrangement of the cytoskeleton and its relationship to nucleus behaviour and cell growth.
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