Equations describing semi-confluent cell growth (I) Analytical approximations

Abstract

A set of differential equations with analytical solutions are presented which can quantitatively account for the effects of variable degrees of contact inhibition on cell growth in two- and three-dimensional cultures. The developed equations can be used for comparative purposes when assessing the extent of contribution of higher order effects, such as culture geometry and nutrient depletion, on mean cell growth rate. These equations also offer experimentalists the opportunity to characterize their cell culture growth experiments using a single reductive parameter.