Weakly nonlinear analysis of symmetry breaking in cell polarity models.

Spontaneous symmetry breaking leading to polarization of the cell is a key step initiating many morphogenetic processes. In addition to experimental studies, model-based theoretical description helps to understand the conditions and limitations of this process. Such description is limited usually to linear stability analysis supplied by the numerical simulations to establish the dependence of the polarization dynamics on the model parameters. Here we describe the application of a powerful weakly nonlinear analysis method to a minimalistic model characterized by the conservation of mass of the protein governing the polarization dynamics.