| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/F043325/1 |
| Title: |
Collective cell behaviour in multicellular tissue |
| Principal Investigator: |
Klein, Dr AM |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
| Scheme: |
Postdoc Research Fellowship |
| Starts: |
01 October 2008 |
Ends: |
30 September 2011 |
Value (£): |
207,311
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Cells |
Non-linear Systems Mathematics |
| Theoretical biology |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The human body consists of a multitude of specialised cell types that are organised into tissues capable of complex physiological behaviour. Functionality of certain tissue types, such as found in the brain, may be attributed to the remarkable organisation of the cell tissue during embryonic development . In other tissues, such as those capable of regeneration, stem cells continue to divide and differentiate (or specialise) throughout adult life. In such cases, tissue structure and function must also be explained in terms of the ongoing decisions made by progenitor cells during division and differentiation. Such decisions are central to understanding the role of stem cells in processes such as wound healing, aging and cancer.However, since it is not possible to discern stem cells from other progenitor cell types in vivo, it has proved challenging to develop a precise understanding of the laws of cell fate.It is interesting to consider the potential of the physical sciences to reveal the mechanism of tissue maintenance. In particular, we have recently used ideas from non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to study the fate of cells in mouse and human epidermis. We have identified a predictive model of tissue maintenance with a degree of quantitative rigor that is unusual in the field of cell tissue biology; for example we have quantified the division and differentiation rates of cells in the epidermis. Based on this initial work, it appears that there is a promising opportunity to identify universal mechanisms of adult tissue maintenance, demanding new theoretical ideas and frameworks. Drawing upon the experience of the biophysical community, one may identify two complementary theoretical approaches. The first is a 'top-down', or 'phenomenological' approach, by which one identifies a set of rules that describe cell behaviour in a given tissue without specifying the underlying microscopic processes. The second is a 'bottom-up', or 'systems biology' approach. Here, one uses knowledge of the relevant genetic and biochemical cell architecture in order to identify the dynamical processes that control cell behaviour. By applying the two approaches, and motivated by continuing experimental collaboration, one may attempt to create a deep and actionable understanding of cell behaviour in multi-cellular tissue.Understanding the behaviour of cells in mammalian tissue has far-reaching medical significance. Our analysis may allow accurate identification of the changes in cell behaviour associated with drug delivery, mutation and aging. One important outcome of our work, for example, is a new approach for rapidly screening novel cancer-preventative drugs.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |