Ruth Baker

Collective cell invasion: mathematical models and biological insights

Cell invasion is fundamental to embryonic development, tissue regulation and regeneration, and the progression of many diseases, including cancer; yet the mechanisms that drive populations of cells to invade distinct targets are poorly understood. This talk will utilise the embryonic neural crest as an exemplar to study mechanisms of collective cell invasion. I will present results from an interdisciplinary collaboration that demonstrate the roles of population heterogeneity, and cell-cell and cell-microenvironment interactions in driving invasion. I will also discuss future theoretical challenges in the field, and outline progress my group has made towards tackling them.