Abstract

We consider the polarization of a cell in response to an outer signal. The mathematical model consists of a diffusion equation in the inner volume coupled to a reaction diffusion system on the cell membrane. In a certain asymptotic limit we rigorously prove the convergence towards a generalized obstacle problem. In term of this limit system we derive conditions for the onset of polarization.

(This is joint work with Anna Logioti, Barbara Niethammer and Juan Velazquez)