Modelling spatial heterogeneity in 3D tumour growth driven by phenotypic changes
Our research is focused on using mathematical and computational modelling to better understand the specific mechanisms that occur in the tumour microenvironment and underpin tumour growth and development. We present our 3D off-lattice agent-based multi-scale model which simulates the behaviour of, and spatio-temporal interactions between various tumour agents (namely cells, extra-cellular matrix and blood vessels). Mechanical interactions between agents occur through repulsion and adhesive forces. The mechanical model is coupled to a finite element solver which solves a reaction-diffusion equation for chemical substances (e.g. oxygen) which diffuse throughout the 3D tissue domain from sources (e.g. blood vessels) and are consumed by agents (e.g. cells). Agent behaviour is governed both by the mechanical interactions and changes to their phenotype. Specifically, we consider oxygen-mediated phenotypic changes in which cells respond differently to normoxic and hypoxic environments. This poster focuses on recent work which seeks to investigate both how heterogeneous phenotypic changes arise and how they in turn affect the spatial configuration of tumours.