Computer scientists at Harvard University have developed a model to study the arrangement of tissues networks created by cell divisions. The model focuses on the topology of tissues, with the way cells connect to each other and to the understanding of the creation of this network connectivity. “From a strategy for cell division, even if the cells divide randomly, a ’signature’ appears at a predictable level of tissue,” says Dr. Radhika Nagpal.

The new model could provide new insights for understanding how systems are organized multicellular behavior from seemingly random and could help researchers trying to artificially simulate complex biological systems.

By using their data-processing model, Dr. Nagpal and her colleagues have shown that the regularity of a fabric can be used as an indicator of the properties of the mechanism of cell division. Even with modern imaging techniques, it is not possible to “request” directly to the cell how it decided to divide. The tool allows him to advance and eliminate hypotheses on cell division.

The researchers plan to use this new model to detect and study the changes that adversely affect the process of epithelial cell divisions which can cause cancer. They hope to be able to use up their model to help understanding other types of cellular networks, natural fabrics of geological formations. And, inspired by nature, they could develop more robust data-processing networks.