Mathematical Biology at the University of Utah

University of Utah
Utah IGERT Workshop

Interdisciplinary Workshop
June 16-19, 2005


Featuring Dr. Michael Reed, Duke University


Sponsored by
Department of Mathematics, University of Utah


Funding provided by the National Science Foundation through
The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program.


Schedule

Thursday, June 16
2:00 -3:00pm Seminar in LCB 225
Title: Probability Theory & Neurobiology
Abstract:  Neurons are inherently variable devices and therefore an imporatant general question
                 in the study of the central nervous system is how we can make accurate calculations
                 with (large numbers of) imperfect devices.  This question is particularly pertinent in
                 the auditory system where behavioral studies show that mammals can detect extemely
                 small time differences.  After a brief introduction to the auditory system, expermental
                 data will be presented that show that the question is serious indeed.  A natural abstraction
                 of the question leads to a (not so simple) problem in probability theory for which
                 analytical and computational results (with Colleen Mitchell) will be presented.  Recent
                 theoretical results suggest that behavior of some real neurons is similar to behavior of the
                 abstract neurons.  Experiments are currently underway to see if this is true.

3:00-3:30 pm
Meeting with Dr. James Keener
3:30-4:00 pm
Meeting with Dr. Laura Miller
4:00-4:30 pm
Meeting with Dr. Robert Guy
4:30-5:15 pm
Meeting with Giao Huynh and Molly Kelton
6:00pm - Dinner with students and faculty
Friday, June 17
9:30-10:00 am
Meeting with Dr. Aaron Fogelson
10:00-10:30 am
Meeting with Dr.  Fred Adler
10:30-11:00 am
Meeting with Dr. Viktoria Hsu
11:00-11;30 am
Meeting with Andy Oster
11:30 - 12:30pm
Lunch with students and faculty
1:00 - 2:00 pm Seminar in LCB 215
Title:  Mathematics, Folate and Methionine Metabolism, and Public Health
Abstract:  Folate and methionine metabolism, a small part of cell biochemistry, is crucial for cell
                 replication and DNA methylation.  There is mounting evidence that the mechanisms by
                 which some polymorphisms or dietary deficiencies are statistically linked to heard disease
                 and certain cancers involve disruptions of folate and methionine metabolism.  Folate is
                 also the target of several chemotheraputic agents and some antibiotics target folate
                 metabolism in bacteria.  A collaborative mathematical modeling project (with Cornelia
                 Ulrich of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute and Fred Nijhout of the Duke
                 Department of  Biology) has the goal of understanding the quantitative and qualitative
                 emergent properties of the whole biochemical network.  Published and current work will
                 be described as well as the difficulties involved.  Several public health issues will also be
                 discussed.
2:00-2:30 pm
Meeting with Geoffrey Hunter
2:30-3:00 pm
Meeting with Amber Smith and Courtney Davis
3:00-3:30 pm
Meeting with Berton Earnshaw
3:30-4:00 pm
Meeting with Nessy Tania and Tom Robbins
4:00-4:30 pm
Meeting with Young-Seon Lee
4:30-5:00 pm
Meeting with Dr. Kim Montgomery
6:00pm -
Dinner with students and faculty
Saturday, June 18
9:00 - 10:30am
Group workshop session #1
Meet in LCB 215
10:30 - 11:00am Break
11:00 - 12:00pm
Group workshop session #2
12:00 - 1:00pm
Lunch with students and faculty
1:00-3:00 pm
Students work on Projects
3:00 - 4:30pm
Workshop presentations (~20 Minute Presentations by Each Group)
6:30pm - BBQ!
Sunday, June 19
10:00am - Recreational hike in Wasatch Front (Millcreek Canyon, Timp. Caves, Red Butte Gardens)


Logistics

  • All workshop talks will be held in LCB Rm 215 or LCB Computer Lab.
  • The workshop has no registration fees. We ask you to register by contacting Aaron McDonald (amcdonal@math.utah.edu), Will Nesse (nesse@math.utah.edu) or John Zobitz (zobitz@math.utah.edu) to indicate attendance at the workshop.
  • Light refreshments will be provided during the workshop breaks.
  • Friday dinner will be at 6:00 PM, location TBD.  Dinner expenses will, unfortunately, not be covered.
  • There will be a cookout BBQ on Saturday, 6:00 PM, location TBD
  • There will be a hike/recreational activity on Sunday.  Details will be announced at the workshop


Workshop Groups
You are encouraged to start researching your projects asap.  Dr. Reed suggests you start with an internet search on your topic!

Projects on Probability and Neurobiology

(I) Nessy, Zach

(II) Berton, Geoffrey, Will

(III)

Projects on Folate and Methionine Metabolism

(I) Giao, John

(II) Meagan, Courtney

(III) Amber, Aaron

(IV) Molly, Mike

(V)

(VI)




See background references








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