Work

A universal behaviour in polarized cell monolayers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In this work, we present a mathematical framework to model mechanical behaviours of a polarized cell monolayer based on a Cosserat elasticity theory of thin structures. We show that cell polarization must remain tangential at free boundaries, resulting in an experimentally observed behaviour called an ‘edge effect’. We show that this behaviour is independent of the cell type. Furthermore, we present Legendre–Hadamard inequalities that must be satisfied at equilibrium for it to be a stable configuration.

Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences

DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2026.0388

Authors: Milad Shirani, Jay D. Humphrey

Institution: Yale University

Language: English

Topic: Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Yale University

OpenAlex ID: W7225142853