A model for mesoscale patterns in motile populations

Abstract

Experimental observations of cell migration often describe the presence of mesoscale patterns within motile cell populations. These patterns can take the form of cells moving as aggregates or in chain-like formation. Here we present a discrete model capable of producing mesoscale patterns. These patterns are formed by biasing movements to favor a particular configuration of agent-agent attachments using a binding function f (K), where K is the scaled local coordination number. This discrete model is related to a nonlinear diffusion equation, where we relate the nonlinear diffusivity D (C) to the binding function f. The nonlinear diffusion equation supports a range of solutions which can be e..