Abstract
For cells to divide, they must undergo the process of mitosis: the process of spatially organizing their copied DNA (chromosomes) to precise locations in the cell. This difficult task is carried out with mysterious speed and accuracy by many stochastic molecular machines working in collaboration to push and pull at the right times. Understanding how components of the spindle harmonize is ripe for mathematical modeling. I will discuss two ongoing projects related to modeling the spindle. The first explores how mutant cancer cells are able to behave like healthy cells to avoid death, described using a swarming-like PDE model of force interactions. The second project is in collaboration with experimental scientists and pursues incorporating 3D spatial trajectories directly into the modeling process. Both works are in collaboration with Alex Mogilner.