Since the 1990s, when 3D culture methods were devised, the mammary acinus has become the in vitro system of choice for studying mechanisms of breast cancer.
A mammary acinus develops from a single cell to form a hollow ball of cells.
Our goal is to build in silico models that expedite and complement wet-bench research. Simulations of acinar development are presented below.
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From an initial virtual cell, the simulated acinus grows to around 200 cells, when the inner cells die, forming a lumen.
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The behavior of acinar cells is controlled by their metabolism and interactions with the local environment.
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Simulations do not follow a predefined script that specifies a single outcome, but each acinus develops independently, according to local conditions.
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Physical constraints, such as confining growth to a plane, alter the course of acinar development.
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