title: The epitheliome: agent-based modelling of the social behaviour of cells.
abstract: We have developed a new computational modelling paradigm for predicting the emergent behaviour resulting from the interaction of cells in epithelial tissue. As proof-of-concept, an agent-based model, in which there is a one-to-one correspondence between biological cells and software agents, has been coupled to a simple physical model. Behaviour of the computational model is compared with the growth characteristics of epithelial cells in monolayer culture, using growth media with low and physiological calcium concentrations. Results show a qualitative fit between the growth characteristics produced by the simulation and the in vitro cell models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. d.c.walker@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Southgate
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holcombe
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hose
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mac Neil
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Smallwood
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium