[MS11] Dynamics of Pattern Formation and Morphogenesis in Biological Systems

[MS11-08] Modeling and simulation of cell nuclear architecture reorganization process via phase field approach

*Qing Cheng¹ (1. Tongji University (China))

Keywords:

Nuclear architecture reorganization,Phase field approach,Lagrange multiplier approach,Physical Constraint

Specific features of nuclear architecture are important for the functional organization of the nucleus, and chromatin consists of two forms, heterochromatin and euchromatin. Conventional nuclear architecture is observed when heterochromatin is enriched at nuclear periphery, and it represents the primary structure in the majority of eukaryotic cells, including the rod cells of diurnal mammals. In contrast to this, inverted nuclear architecture is observed when the heterochromatin is distributed at the center of the nucleus, which occurs in the rod cells of nocturnal mammals. Conventional architecture can transform into inverted architecture during nuclear reorganization process. In this talk, we introduce a new phase field model to understand the nuclear architecture reorganization process based on Lagrange multiplier approach which can preserve physical constraints exactly to avoid unfeasible biological events. Efficient and robust linear and weakly nonlinear schemes are developed for the new model. We successfully recreated the process of nuclear architecture reorganization from experiments by using proposed efficient numerical algorithms and new model.