Mathematical Biology seminar
Gheorge Craciun
Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State Univesity
"Mathematical Models of Neurofilament Transport in Axons"
Wednesday January 19, 2005
3:05pm in LCB 215
Neurofilaments are space-filling cytoskeletal polymers
that increase axonal cross-sectional area, thereby influencing
axonal conduction velocity. Impairments in neurofilament
transport can result in abnormal accumulations that obstruct
the transport of other axonal cargo, and are involved in several
neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
and giant axonal neuropathy.
We present mathematical models for neurofilament transport,
based on interactions between neurofilaments and microtubules,
mediated by motor proteins. These models are consistent with
fluorescence microscopy experiments in cultured neurons, and
with radio-isotopic pulse labeling experiments in vivo. Using
these models we test several hypotheses concerning the mechanism
for neurofilament transport.
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Mathematical Biology Program
Department of Mathematics
University of Utah
155 South 1400 East Room 233
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
rasmusse@math.utah.edu
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