To lead or to herd: optimal strategies for 3D collective migration of cell clusters.

Cells migrating in clusters play a significant role in a number of biological processes such as embryogenesis, wound healing, and tumor metastasis during cancer progression. A variety of environmental and biochemical factors can influence the collective migration of cells with differing degrees of cell autonomy and inter-cellular coupling strength. For example, weakly coupled cells can move collectively under the influence of contact guidance from neighboring cells or the environment.

Correction: A stochastic algorithm for accurately predicting path persistence of cells migrating in 3D matrix environments.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

A stochastic algorithm for accurately predicting path persistence of cells migrating in 3D matrix environments.

Cell mobility plays a critical role in immune response, wound healing, and the rate of cancer metastasis and tumor progression. Mobility within a three-dimensional (3D) matrix environment can be characterized by the average velocity of cell migration and the persistence length of the path it follows. Computational models that aim to predict cell migration within such 3D environments need to be able predict both of these properties as a function of the various cellular and extra-cellular factors that influence the migration process.