A note on how to develop interdisciplinary collaborations between experimentalists and theoreticians

Abstract

One contribution of 12 to a theme issue 'Coupling geometric partial differential equations with physics for cell morphology, motility and pattern formation'. The programmeThis special issue is inspired by and based on the six-month research programme held at the Isaac Newton Institute (INI) for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge, UK between 13 July and 18 December 2015 entitled 'Coupling geometric partial differential equations with physics for cell morphology, motility and pattern formation'. The research programme was the first of its kind to bring together at the INI world-leading theoreticians, experimentalists, biomedical practitioners and statisticians. This diverse and large group came together to share paired goals: understanding how current mathematical techniques, including mathematical modelling and numerical and statistical analysis, can be used to formulate and analyse topical problems in cell motility and pattern formation, and conversely, how diverse experimental results can be translated into predictive mathematical and computational models across several spatio-temporal scales. Recent advances in cell motility and pattern formation, including high-resolution imaging techniques in three dimensions, necessitate new mathematical and computational theories to help guide, suggest, refine and sharpen further experimental hypotheses. The research programme laid down premises for topical research that mandated coupling molecular, cellular, tissue and fluid dynamics in a multi-scale interdisciplinary environment thereby enabling the generation of new scientific knowledge across several disciplines.The six-month research programme included three workshops and an Open for Business event at the INI, a satellite meeting at the University of Sussex, and a unique hands-on experimental workshop in Germany on cell migration and advanced microscopy, hosted jointly by RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jü lich. Hence, with the goal of breaking barriers between these disciplines, the programme was tailored in a way that best harnessed expertise and knowledge between experimental and theoretical sciences.