Partial fluidization theory of collective cell migration | Communications Physics - Nature
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New physics theory reveals how groups of cells shift between solid and fluid states to migrate together — and why that transition may be the hidden engine of cancer spread.
Partial Fluidization TheoryPhase TransitionActive Matter TheoryJamming Transition
Theory Briefing
- Collective cell migration drives critical biological events like wound healing and cancer metastasis, yet its mechanics have lacked a unified physical framework.
- The 'partial fluidization' theory describes how cell tissues exist in a hybrid solid-fluid state, borrowing concepts from soft matter physics to explain coordinated movement.
- Understanding the phase transition of cell collectives could unlock new targets for halting metastasis, where cancer cells exploit fluidization to invade surrounding tissue.