Complex Systems: Mathematics, Computation & Science
(Leader: Prof. Greg McColm)
Monday, April 19, 2004
| Title |
Vascular Dynamics of the Central Nervous System: Macro- and
Micro-circulation |
| Speaker |
Apurva Bhatty |
| Time |
2:00-3:00 p.m. |
| Place |
LIF 267 |
Abstract
Cardiovascular dynamics has been modeled at many scales: from the
computational fluid dynamics approach at the smallest scales of fluid flow within
the vasculature to the lumped parameter simplified circuits at the larger scale
of system dynamics.
The parameter values of such a circuit including the cerebro-vacular system may
be derived from MRI images and from invasive and noninvasive clinical means. An
approach combining 4th order Runge-Kutta simulation of the macro and
microcirculation with cellular-automata-like diffusion modeling of metabolites
within the microcirculation will be described along with clinical and research
applications of this approach in the surgical operating theater and in aviation
and space medicine.
Monday, March 15, 2004
| Title |
Competition in host-parasitoid systems |
| Speaker |
Professor Gary Huxel
Department of Biology |
| Time |
2:00-3:00 p.m. |
| Place |
LIF 267 |
Abstract
The Nicholson-Bailey host-parasitoid model system is inherently unstable.
Factors such as spatial heterogeneity and density-dependent population growth can
stabilize this system. However, the role of competition among both hosts and
parasitoids in the N-B model system is largely unknown. We explore the
consequences on stability and invasibility in low dimensional N-B model systems
with multiple hosts and parasitoids.
Monday, March 1, 2004
| Title |
Effects of turbulence on nutrient uptake by the benthos |
| Speaker |
Professor Florence Thomas
Department of Biology |
| Time |
2:00-3:00 p.m. |
| Place |
LIF 267 |
Abstract
TBA.
Monday, February 16, 2004
| Title |
Bonds between Proteins and Carbohydrates: Directing molecular
dynamics inside and outside cells |
| Speaker |
Anna Plaas
Department of Internal Medicine |
| Time |
2:00-3:00 p.m. |
| Place |
LIF 267 |
Abstract
The pivotal role of post-translational glycosylation of proteins for
intracellular sorting, secretion, control of function and metabolic clearance, and
modulation of protein/protein interactions involved in signal transduction
pathways, is well-documented. Thus, structure-function data of N- and O-linked
oligosaccharides is now generally incorporated into proteomic and metabolomic
thinking and experimentation.
The biological importance of another type of protein-carbohydrate bonding, the
non-covalent association of polysaccharides, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), with many
extracellular proteins, includ- ing growth factors and morphogens (FGF, HGF,
chemokines, wnts), matrix proteins (collagen, fibronectin, link glycoprotein),
enzymes (lipoprotein lipase, aggrecanase) and transmembrane proteins (CD44, HARE)
has recently drawn much research attention. These interactions are usually
multivalent, and an increasing number of complimentary amino acid and
monosaccharide sequences are being elucidated. They serve to regulate intracellular
signal output of receptor tyrosine kinases and extracellular modification of
storage, diffusion and concentration of protein effectors. In addition,
multi-component processes of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in
epithelial-mesenchymal transition in development and in malignancy have also been
shown to be critically dependant on the presence of GAG-protein interactions.