Mathematical modeling of hyphal tip growth

The mathematical modelling of growing filamentous cells has been approached in a variety of ways ranging from simple geometric to biomechanically based models using exact, nonlinear, elasticity theory for shells and membranes in which a growth mechanism is included, and alternative approaches using visco-plasticity theory. We describe how the nonlinear elastic model is able to capture essential biomechanical mechanical features of the growth of a broad array of filamentous cells including fungi, actinomycetes, pollen tubes, and root hairs. A comparison between this approach and visco-plasticity based models is made.