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Modelling the dynamics of stem cells in colonic crypts

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Abstract

We present a theoretical and computational framework to model the colonic crypt organisation in the human intestine. We construct a theoretical and computational framework to model the colonic crypt behaviour, using a Voronoi tessellation to represent each cell and elastic forces between them we addressed how their dynamical disfunction can lead to tumour masses and cancer. Our results indicate that for certain parameters the crypt is in a homeostatic state, but slight changes on their values can disrupt this behaviour.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apartado Postal 20-364, 01000, México D.F., Mexico

    Orozco-Fuentes Sirio & Rafael A. Barrio

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  1. Orozco-Fuentes Sirio
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  2. Rafael A. Barrio
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Correspondence to Rafael A. Barrio.

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Sirio, OF., Barrio, R.A. Modelling the dynamics of stem cells in colonic crypts. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 226, 353–363 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2016-60177-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2016-60177-8

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