Reducing the complexity of phase-field models for cell motility

Amoeboid cell motility involves the dynamics of cell shape, position, and intracellular patterns. In the phase-field approach, an artificial field called "phase" is introduced, enabling us to analyse reaction-diffusion dynamics within a moving and deformable domain. To facilitate the quantitative verification of models using empirical data, we aim to reduce the complexity of phase-field models. A key part is to establish the connection between intracellular patterns and cell motion. I will discuss approximate center-of-mass dynamics derived from the phase dynamics, and present technical details of the phase-field approach in general.