File:A-Computational-Approach-to-Understand-In-Vitro-Alveolar-Morphogenesis-pone.0004819.s004.ogv

English: Simulated ALC morphogenesis with an initial population of 500 simulated cells (∼2.5×104 cells/cm2 in vitro). Model parameters were set to the Table 2 values. Seeded randomly across the culture grid space, the cells migrated randomly and aggregated into coherent clusters. Sufficiently large clusters grew luminal space and developed into ALCs with the luminal space enclosed by a monolayer of cells. We used uniform hexagonal grids to represent culture space and composing elements, so a hexagonally shaped ALC in silico approximates a roundish cyst in vitro. Regular hexagons with white center depict individual cells. Gray and black spaces represent matrix and free (or luminal) space respectively.