dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaTaxis Equations for Amoeboid Cells
| Authors | Radek Erban, Hans G. Othmer |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | q-bio/0601048 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0601048 |
Abstract
The classical macroscopic chemotaxis equations have previously been derived from an individual-based description of the tactic response of cells that use a "run-and-tumble" strategy in response to environmental cues. Here we derive macroscopic equations for the more complex type of behavioral response characteristic of crawling cells, which detect a signal, extract directional information from a scalar concentration field, and change their motile behavior accordingly. We present several models of increasing complexity for which the derivation of population-level equations is possible, and we show how experimentally-measured statistics can be obtained from the transport equation formalism. We also show that amoeboid cells that do not adapt to constant signals can still aggregate in steady gradients, but not in response to periodic waves. This is in contrast to the case of cells that use a "run-and-tumble" strategy, where adaptation is essential.
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"date_created": "2026-03-02T18:01:35.705000Z",
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"abstract": "The classical macroscopic chemotaxis equations have previously been derived\nfrom an individual-based description of the tactic response of cells that use a\n\"run-and-tumble\" strategy in response to environmental cues. Here we derive\nmacroscopic equations for the more complex type of behavioral response\ncharacteristic of crawling cells, which detect a signal, extract directional\ninformation from a scalar concentration field, and change their motile behavior\naccordingly. We present several models of increasing complexity for which the\nderivation of population-level equations is possible, and we show how\nexperimentally-measured statistics can be obtained from the transport equation\nformalism. We also show that amoeboid cells that do not adapt to constant\nsignals can still aggregate in steady gradients, but not in response to\nperiodic waves. This is in contrast to the case of cells that use a\n\"run-and-tumble\" strategy, where adaptation is essential.",
"arxiv_id": "q-bio/0601048",
"authors": [
"Radek Erban",
"Hans G. Othmer"
],
"categories": [
"q-bio.CB",
"physics.bio-ph"
],
"title": "Taxis Equations for Amoeboid Cells",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/q-bio/0601048"
},
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