A Java-based graphical simulator that models the progression of cells through the eukaryotic cell cycle (G1, S, G2, and M phases). The application allows users to observe real-time changes in cell behavior, including DNA damage accumulation, checkpoint regulation, and the probability of cancer development during replication.
This project combines biological modeling with interactive software simulation to visualize how abnormalities in the cell cycle can contribute to cancer formation.
• Interactive graphical user interface (GUI) • Real-time cell cycle simulation • Color-coded visualization of cell phases • DNA damage accumulation and mutation events • G2 checkpoint regulation system • Cancer probability prediction model • Dynamic cell population behavior
The simulation is based on a simplified representation of the cell cycle:
G1 → S → G2 → M
Each cell progresses through these phases based on time-dependent transitions. The system introduces stochastic DNA damage events that influence checkpoint behavior and overall cell health.
Cancer risk is estimated using a weighted model:
risk = (0.4 × M phase duration)
- (0.4 × DNA damage)
- (0.2 × checkpoint failure)
Where:
risk = probability of cancer-like behavior M phase duration = time spent in mitosis DNA damage = accumulated genetic instability checkpoint failure = inability to repair before division
Prolonged mitosis and failed checkpoints increase the likelihood of abnormal cell division.
Java Java Swing (GUI framework) Object-Oriented Programming Real-Time Simulation Biological Modeling
src/
cell_simulation/ MainApp.java SimulationPanel.java SimulationEngine.java Cell.java RiskModel.java
- Clone the repository
- Open the project in an IDE (Eclipse, IntelliJ, or VS Code)
- Compile the project:
javac -d bin src/cell_simulation/*.java
- Run the application:
java -cp bin cell_simulation.MainApp
Real-time graph of cancer probability User-controlled mutation rate and phase timing Machine learning-based risk prediction Integration with biological datasets Simulation of tumor cell populations Enhanced visualization and animations
This project is licensed under the MIT License.