Collective cell rearrangements and migration are important mechanical processes in epithelial tissue development, regeneration, and function. In this talk, I will present recent theoretical insights into how dynamical patterns emerge at the tissue scale from localized cell rearrangements and topological defects. Using a minimal polarized cell model, we explore how distortions in the planar cell polarity (PCP) order induce collective and relative cell migration. A vortex in the PCP ordering generates inward cell migration leading to out-of-surface tissue deformations. In the absence of neighbor exchanges, a conical shape develops, but localized fluidization regularizes the singular curvature of the cone and induces the formation of tubular structures. Using a multi-phase field model, we show that T1 transitions as cell neighbor exchanges driven by cell self-propulsion can induce directional cell migration relative to other cells. T1 transitions are transient sources of vortical flow, controlling the rate of cell mixing through relative dispersion, and promote directional migration.
Presential in seminar room, Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88435427977?pwd=GN8y6uPwT5BXo8xdHpSuFuGaMu3I4v.1
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