A Lagrangian particle method for reaction-diffusion systems on deforming surfaces

J Math Biol. 2010 Nov;61(5):649-63. doi: 10.1007/s00285-009-0315-2. Epub 2009 Dec 18.

Abstract

Reaction-diffusion processes on complex deforming surfaces are fundamental to a number of biological processes ranging from embryonic development to cancer tumor growth and angiogenesis. The simulation of these processes using continuum reaction-diffusion models requires computational methods capable of accurately tracking the geometric deformations and discretizing on them the governing equations. We employ a Lagrangian level-set formulation to capture the deformation of the geometry and use an embedding formulation and an adaptive particle method to discretize both the level-set equations and the corresponding reaction-diffusion. We validate the proposed method and discuss its advantages and drawbacks through simulations of reaction-diffusion equations on complex and deforming geometries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation
  • Diffusion
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Morphogenesis / physiology*
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins