Differentiated cell behavior: a multiscale approach using measure theory (Q887397)

The most important feature of this work is the approach utilizing time-evolving measures related to mass distributions of cells instead of any \textit{a priory} assumptions on their character. It allows avoiding a choice between coarse-graining, which leads to the mean field continual representation and the discrete modeling, as well as initial accuracy problem for the mentioned descriptions. The resulting evolution equations have Eulerian form for a quite general systems. As a result, a system, which consists of large (continually distributed) and small discrete subpopulations can be modeled simultaneously since both are determined by their measures. The considered example deals with the chemotaxis problem for such two kinds of cells. It is calculated numerically, how an introduction of a small number of differentiated cells affects the pattern formation in a continuum of unspecialized cells. At the same time, the starting system of equations has the same measure-based form for both subpopulations, and is reduced to coupled PDE and ODE after determination of the corresponding measures only. All results are well illustrated.