Jan Rombouts
@janrombouts.bsky.social
Mathematics, physics, biology - not necessarily in that order. Currently postdoc at Université Libre de Bruxelles. Previously at EMBL Heidelberg and KU Leuven.
Looking for the mathematical rules that describe nature.
janrombouts.github.io
Looking for the mathematical rules that describe nature.
janrombouts.github.io
What I really like about this paper is the combination of mathematical technique, interesting dynamics and biological experiments which each form an essential part of the story.
September 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
What I really like about this paper is the combination of mathematical technique, interesting dynamics and biological experiments which each form an essential part of the story.
Finally, we predicted the distribution of observed patterns in an amazing set of experiments done by Michael. Primary cells from mouse embryos were confined to thin rectangular domains, effectively creating a one-dimensional system: a perfect setup to compare experiment and theory.
September 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Finally, we predicted the distribution of observed patterns in an amazing set of experiments done by Michael. Primary cells from mouse embryos were confined to thin rectangular domains, effectively creating a one-dimensional system: a perfect setup to compare experiment and theory.
At these transitions, patterned steady states appear that are saddle points in phase space. They strongly influence the transient dynamics, by lengthening the time the system takes to evolve towards the attracting state: a polarized pattern where all particles are on one side.
September 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
At these transitions, patterned steady states appear that are saddle points in phase space. They strongly influence the transient dynamics, by lengthening the time the system takes to evolve towards the attracting state: a polarized pattern where all particles are on one side.
We found a way to, in specific cases, analytically compute the parameter regions where patterns form. In addition, we studied the long-term behavior using numerical bifurcation techniques. These revealed a set of transitions as the size of the confining domain increases.
September 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
We found a way to, in specific cases, analytically compute the parameter regions where patterns form. In addition, we studied the long-term behavior using numerical bifurcation techniques. These revealed a set of transitions as the size of the confining domain increases.
In this preprint, we use a nonlocal advection-diffusion equation that describes aggregating particles/cells. Such equations are flexible and general, but mathematically nontrivial to study on bounded domains.
September 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
In this preprint, we use a nonlocal advection-diffusion equation that describes aggregating particles/cells. Such equations are flexible and general, but mathematically nontrivial to study on bounded domains.
🧵Why do early embryonic cell cycles speed up with temperature almost like simple chemical reactions, but not quite? 🌡️
Across frogs, fish, worms, and flies we found a shared scaling law, and uncovered why deviations from Arrhenius behavior emerge.
👉 doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62918-0
Across frogs, fish, worms, and flies we found a shared scaling law, and uncovered why deviations from Arrhenius behavior emerge.
👉 doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62918-0
September 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The theory was part of my PhD work at KU Leuven with @lendertgelens.bsky.social, experimental work by colleagues in Leuven, the Yang lab (U Michigan) and Ferrell lab (Stanford).
Find the paper here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Find the paper here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Mechanistic origins of temperature scaling in the early embryonic cell cycle - Nature Communications
Researchers reveal mechanisms underlying non-Arrhenius temperature scaling of early embryonic cell cycle timing, using modeling, cross-species data, and reconstituted oscillations in frog egg extract.
www.nature.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The theory was part of my PhD work at KU Leuven with @lendertgelens.bsky.social, experimental work by colleagues in Leuven, the Yang lab (U Michigan) and Ferrell lab (Stanford).
Find the paper here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Find the paper here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...