Realistic 3D Cell Modelling for FEM Simulation

摘要

We describe the latest results from an interdisciplinary project that encompasses a range of activities targeting anatomical data based structural modelling of individual salivary cell clusters, solution of cellular calcium dynamics function in full 3D simulations and interactive visualization of resultant calcium waves. Real biological samples were digitized using fluorescent markers and confocal microscopy. A set of image slices was used as the basis for a full 3D graphics model reconstruction of one cluster of cells. This anatomically correct model was used in turn as the basis for the creation of a 3D tetrahedral mesh suitable for finite element simulations. The same underlying 3D graphics mesh was used in the animated visualization of the calcium concentration simulation time series results. This work was conducted in collaboration with James Sneyd and Shawn Means from the Department of Mathematics at the University of Auckland and with David Yule from the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester.