| abstract • the speaker |
Abstract Mathematical modeling and simulation plays an important role in the analysis of complex nonlinear dynamical systems which includes biology. One of the manifestations of this complexity is intricate patterns seen at different scales ranging from individual organisms forming communities to proteins signaling forming cell aggregates. One such patterning process is vertebrate limb formation that results from a complicated interplay between several signaling proteins. The end result is the pattern of bones and digits that we recognize as a normal limb. Defects in this process lead to clinical abnormalities, and so it is important to understand the mechanism of limb development. Experimental efforts involve adding or deleting elements of the signaling pathway, and deliberately introducing proteins at locations where they normally do not occur. Some of these experiments result in observations that cannot be explained by the current knowledge of the signaling mechanism. We have developed a mechanistic mathematical model for chick limb development that includes details of the production, diffusion and interactions of proteins within the growing domain of the limb bud. The utility of this model in explaining seemingly counterintuitive experimental results will be presented.
The Speaker Dr. Chetan Gadgil (Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, 2001, University of Minnesota) is a scientist at the Chemical Engineering Division, National Chemical Laboratory. His research interest is mathematical modeling of biological systems. Prior to joining the NCL, Dr. Gadgil has also worked as a postdoctoral fellow and worked briefly in industrial research. He has published in prestigeous journals including PNAS. He is a regular referee for the journals like Journal of Mathematical Biology, Mathematical Biosciences, Journal of Biotechnology, Mathematical Medicine and Biology etc., and has chaired sessions in AIChe Annual Meetings.
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