Modeling non-linear dynamics inside living cells

A spatial instability due to the difference on the diffusions at the membrane and in the cytosol or the viscoelastic properties of the cytoskeleton of the cell can produce a local increase of concentration inside the cell giving rise to the formation of domains of high concentration. The spatial organization of the molecules participating in a particular signaling pathway affects the global response of the cell. This spatial distribution of the molecules at the membrane is particularly relevant for processes of cell polarization and cell locomotion.

Related Publications

Modeling domain formation of MARCKS and protein kinase C at cellular membranes
S. Alonso and M. Bär, EPJ Nonlinear Biomedical Physics 2, 1 (2014).

Intracellular mechanochemical waves in an active poroelastic model.
M. Radszuweit, S. Alonso, H. Engel and M. Bär, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 138102 (2013).

Oscillations in the lateral pressure of lipid monolayers induced by nonlinear chemical dynamics of the second messengers MARCKS and Protein kinase C.
S. Alonso, U. Dietrich, C. Händel, J. A. Käss and M. Bär. Biophys. J. 100, 939-947 (2011).

Phase separation and bistability in a three-dimensional model for protein domain formation at biomembranes.
S. Alonso and M. Bär, Phys. Biol. 7 0460112 (2010).