Session

DescriptionThis minisymposium focuses on state-of-the-art computational approaches and their validation to explore the growth, dynamics and organization of biological tissues at various scales, from organs to the subcellular level. Recent advances in imaging technologies, algorithms, and computer hardware enable more realistic models of cell and tissue dynamics with subcellular features. Exploiting concepts from high-performance computing and advanced algorithms, computer simulations with high spatial and temporal resolution are becoming accessible. Coupling biomechanical models with chemical signaling or intra- or extracellular fluids and components further enhances the complexity of tissue processes that can be accurately simulated. Collective phenomena involving dozens or hundreds of cells need to be simulated within useful simulation times. In combination with theory development, computational approaches that enable this provide novel insights into the biomechanical principles of cell aggregation and tissue growth and structure, with important implications for our understanding of biological development, morphogenesis and diseases. In this minisymposium, recent advances in numerical high-performance simulations of cellular systems and their experimental validation are discussed.