Qualitative properties of solutions to a mass-conserving free boundary problem modeling cell polarization

We consider a parabolic non-local free boundary problem that has been derived as a limit of a bulk-surface reaction-diffusion system which models cell polarization. We have justified the well-posedness of this problem and have further proved uniqueness of solutions and global stability of steady states. In this paper we investigate qualitative properties of the free boundary. We present necessary and sufficient conditions for the initial data that imply continuity of the support at t = 0. If one of these assumptions fail, then jumps of the support take place. In addition we provide a complete characterization of the jumps for a large class of initial data.

Automated summary

We investigate a parabolic non-local free boundary problem that arises as a limit of a bulk-surface reaction-diffusion system modeling cell polarization. The well-posedness of the problem is justified and uniqueness of solutions as well as global stability of steady states are proved. In this paper, we focus on the qualitative properties of the free boundary. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for the continuity of the support at t = 0 for the initial data and characterize the jumps of the support for a large class of initial data.