A computational model of self-organized shape dynamics of active surfaces in fluids

TL;DR

This paper introduces a finite-element computational model to simulate the complex interactions of hydrodynamics, material flows, and active contractile forces on deformable biological surfaces in fluids, revealing rich nonlinear behaviors and pattern formation.

Contribution

The paper develops a novel numerical method coupling surface and bulk hydrodynamics with active surface flows, enabling detailed analysis of mechanochemical patterning on deformable surfaces.

Findings

Validated the model with linear stability analysis

Observed multiple stationary states in nonlinear regimes

Pattern formation adapts to local surface curvature

Abstract

Mechanochemical processes on surfaces such as the cellular cortex or epithelial sheets, play a key role in determining patterns and shape changes of biological systems. To understand the complex interplay of hydrodynamics and material flows on such active surfaces requires novel numerical tools. Here, we present a finite-element method for an active deformable surface interacting with the surrounding fluids. The underlying model couples surface and bulk hydrodynamics to surface flow of a diffusible species which generates active contractile forces. The method is validated with previous results based on linear stability analysis and shows almost perfect agreement regarding predicted patterning. Away from the linear regime we find rich non-linear behavior, such as the presence of multiple stationary states. We study the formation of a contractile ring on the surface and the corresponding shape changes. Finally, we explore mechanochemical pattern formation on various surface geometries and find that patterning strongly adapts to local surface curvature. The developed method provides a basis to analyze a variety of systems that involve mechanochemical pattern formation on active surfaces interacting with surrounding fluids.