Abstract

Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd) cells are amoeba cells that feed on soil or plant leaf matter bacteria. They divide freely in the presence of food. When starved, cell division is ended, and cells transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms initiated by a chemoattractant, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This study intricately examines cellular sorting within the Dd slug, focusing on individual cell dynamics. Represented as oriented ellipsoids, these cells maintain constant volume through a viscoelastic structure. Applying force to specific semi-axes reveals predictable deformations, highlighting the relationship between force and deformation rate. Manipulating damping coefficients and spring constants uncovers insights into cell viscosity and stiffness. Exploring the effects of a cell's active force and cone angle revealed that a cone angle less than 10 degrees or greater than 30 degrees and an active force less than 2N or greater than 6N of the prestalk cells led to unsatisfactory conditions, resulting in insufficiently directed cell movement, and an inability to achieve the desired cell sorting patterns within the slug. This work guides exploring diverse cellular behaviors, advancing the understanding of complex biological phenomena within a concise framework.

Degree

College and Department

Mathematics; Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences

Rights

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