Cell surface receptors, integrins , consist of a combination of so-called a and b subunits. 3.2.13 a 3 b 1 binds to collagen I, fibronectin and laminin. 3.2.14 a 6 b 4 binds to laminin. 3.3 Cell mutation and tumour progression 3.3.1 Mutations in stem cells cause secretion of protease which results in breakdown of basal membrane. Approximately 20 genes are relevant to malignancy for epithelial cells.
Point mutations are particularly important for oral cancer development.
3.3.13 Damaged genes can be inherited but are most often acquired through the effect of chemical carcinogens, radiation, or viruses. 4.2 Tissue is horizontally wrapping rectangular area. 4.5 Mitosis modelled as halving in radius, plus displacement in random direction such that two daughter cells fit inside old circle. Committed cells grow to their mature size over a period of 10 hourse but never mitose. Such a model is not what we want in the final simulation, as is an artificial constraint.