Multi-cell ECM compaction is predictable via superposition of nonlinear cell dynamics linearized in augmented state space
Fig 1
Schematic diagram of cell-ECM interaction.
A: Each cell is represented by a mesh structure consisting of multiple nodes which are indicated by the yellow spheres. The ECM is modeled as a network of many fibers connected through a large number of nodes. The i-th membrane node is attached to the j-th ECM node through a focal adhesion connection. B: The forces acting on each membrane node include the cortical tension and membrane elastic energy force (), focal adhesion force (
), lamellipodium force (
), and frictional damping force(
). The forces acting on each node within the ECM fiber network include the elastic energy force (
), focal adhesion force (
), and damping force (
).