A non-reciprocal model for morphogenesis in symbiosis

The shape of a cell influences, and it is influenced by its interactions with its neighbours.

Here, we introduce a coarse-grained computational model of non-reciprocal interactions between single-cell organisms to study emergent morphologies during symbiotic association.

We show that the cell membrane can be remodelled into branched protrusions, invaginations, transient blebs and other dynamical morphologies that depend on the number of interacting partners, the asymmetry, and the magnitude of partnership activity.

Our model finds a dynamical feedback between the local deformation of the membrane and its driving force, leading to membrane morphologies not reported in reciprocal systems with constant activity.