Collective cell migration

Okay so imagine you and your friends all want to go to the park together. But you don't feel like walking by yourself so you all decide to hold hands and walk together in a group. That's kind of like what happens with cells when they do collective cell migration.

Cells are the building blocks of our bodies and they move around all the time. Sometimes they move by themselves, but other times they move in groups. That's called collective cell migration.

When cells move together, they do it by sticking to each other and working together. Different cells in the group have different jobs to do. Some cells lead the way and others follow behind. Some cells push and others pull. Everyone has a role to play.

One way cells stick together is by using little arms called "filopodia" and "lamellipodia." These arms reach out and grab onto nearby cells or surfaces. Once they're stuck, the cells use special proteins to contract and pull themselves forward. Other cells in the group follow along and stick to the cells in front of them.

Collective cell migration happens a lot in our bodies. For example, when our cells heal a wound, they all work together to close up the injury. Cancer cells can also use collective cell migration to move around and spread to other parts of the body, which is not a good thing.

Scientists study collective cell migration to learn more about how cells move and work together. It's a complex process, but just like you and your friends holding hands on the way to the park, cells can do amazing things when they work together.