Computational modeling of neural tube closure defects

Multicellular agent-based model (ABM) developed in the CompuCell3D modeling environment to understand how neural tube defects may occur and which genes are most . Our ABM important for successful neural tube closure. Our ABM recapitulates the dynamics of normal neural tube closure, driven by a gene regulatory network. This regulatory network allowed us to introduce perturbations by varying the expression level of genes in the model. Our ABM provides understanding of how perturbations might disrupt neural tube closure at a cellular and molecular level.