NewsPhysics

A new multi-phase field model has revealed that internal energy dissipation is a crucial factor in the spontaneous formation of holes in cell monolayers. This discovery is significant because, while hole formation and tissue remodeling are fundamental biological processes, the underlying physical mechanisms, especially the role of energy dissipation, were not fully understood. The developed model offers a new perspective on how cells organize and alter their collective structure, which has implications for understanding processes such as wound healing and embryonic development.

Traditionally, cell monolayer models have focused on active forces and mechanical properties of cells. However, this study introduces the importance of internal energy dissipation, i.e., how energy generated by cells is lost within the system. The multi-phase field model allows for simulating the complex interaction between multiple cellular phases and the environment, explicitly incorporating dissipative processes. Researchers found that without sufficient internal dissipation, monolayers fail to form holes spontaneously and stably, suggesting that this mechanism acts as a critical regulator of tissue dynamics.

“A new multi-phase field model has revealed that internal energy dissipation is a crucial factor in the spontaneous formation of holes in cell monolayers.”