Andrew Ton

Models for the dynamics of cells and tissues are important for understanding biological processes such as wound healing and embryo development. We develop computational models using deformable particles for epithelial wound closure dynamics and tissue solidification in the developing Zebrafish body axis. The wound closure model captures enhanced edge tension that drives wound healing, and demonstrates that variations in cell membrane mechanics account for the difference between healing among developmental stages. We show that embryonic cell membranes behave as viscoelastic solids, while larval cell membranes behave as elastic solids. During the elongation of the vertebrate body axis, our combined simulation and experimental mutant analysis demonstrates that adhesion, rather than cell motility, drives tissue solidification.