PhD defence
Orientational Order and Confinement in Biological Tissues
- J.M. Armengol Collado
- Date
- Wednesday 5 February 2025
- Time
- Location
-
Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden
Supervisor(s)
- Prof.dr. L. Giomi
- Prof.dr. T. Schmidt
Summary
This thesis investigates how cell shape and collective behavior influence the dynamics and structure of biological tissues, which are crucial for processes like embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and metastasis. Using a novel tool to analyze cell geometry, it was found that epithelial tissues exhibit multiscale orientational order, with hexatic symmetry at small scales and nematic symmetry at larger scales. Additionally, a hydrodynamic model was developed to capture these symmetries, aligning with numerical simulations and enabling deeper analysis of the behavior of cell clusters. The study also examines how confining liquid crystals with six-fold symmetry in channels leads to antiparallel cell flows, enhancing circulation—a vital mechanism for cell migration in small capillaries. Finally, we show that metastatic invasion resembles a turbulent active nematic fluid. Interactions between the system’s walls and topological defects were found to promote more aggressive migration modes, implying potential therapeutic strategies. This work advances our understanding of active matter and provides insights into the physical principles governing tissue dynamics and cancer progression.
PhD dissertations
Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.
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+31 (0)71 527 1521
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General information
Beadle's Office
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