Mathematical Biology Seminar
Peter Kim
University of Utah
Wednesday Nov. 11, 2009
3:05pm in LCB 225
State transitions and change
detection in the immune response
Abstract:
What causes the immune system to react? The current understanding is
that
the immune response reacts to the presence or absence of stimulus, or
alternatively, the level of stimulus. However, we propose a
hypothesis
that the immune system may also respond effectively to change in
stimulus.
In this presentation, we present a mathematical model of T cell
activation that captures the principal mechanism that may allow the T
cell response to function as a highly effective change detector.
The model is formulated as a system of ordinary differential
equations.
It incorporates naive, effector, and regulatory T cells. The transition
between naive and effector T cells gives rise to a simple change
detector.
The interaction between effector and regulatory T cells creates an
excitable system with fast and slow dynamics.
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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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