Research

Driven by Curvature: Cell Shapes and Cell Migration

Cells in our body have a multitude of shapes, according to their function. The factors that determine the local and global shape of a cell, are numerous, including the internal state of the cell, with respect to the cell cycle and metabolism, and the properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells that are round while floating in solution, change their shapes dramatically when in contact with a solid substrate.

Spin Model for Decision Making

Our research investigates how decision-making processes in both humans and animals can be understood through spin models. By simulating brain activity and spatial navigation using the Ising-like spin model, we explore how decisions are made in abstract scenarios and real-world environments. Our findings offer insights into the neural and cognitive mechanisms that drive choices, from binary decisions to complex foraging behavior. This interdisciplinary approach bridges physics, neuroscience, and behavioral studies, exposing the intricate dynamics behind decision making.

Physics of Collective Animal Behavior

Animals often need to make non-trivial decisions, individually or collectively, with short- and long-term fitness consequences. From the perspective of most animals, who are ignorant about the timescales and forces of evolution, decisions are made as direct responses to physical inputs gathered by their sensory systems and in order to obtain an immediately tangible outcome.

Modelling cellular migration on networks

While migrating in our bodies, immune cells have to navigate inside the tissues, to find their way towards wounds or invading pathogens. During this process the cells are moving within narrow confined spaces, arriving at junctions, sample the alternative routes and decide where to go.