Which way to go? Modeling eukaryotic chemotaxis

Chemotaxis is characterized by directed movement of cells up a chemical gradient. It is a key component in a multitude of biological processes, including neuronal patterning, wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. Even though many of the key components involved in chemotaxis are known it remains a poorly understood process. In this talk, I will present our modeling efforts aimed towards a better quantitative and mechanistic understanding of chemotaxis. In addition, I will discuss some of the new experimental techniques that should bring us closer to answering the question how cells know which way to go.