*************** ANNOUNCEMENT **********************
 * University of Utah Mathematical Biology Seminar *
 ***************************************************

 
 Wednesday, November 4 at 3:20 pm in JWB 208

 Speaker:  Kevin Painter (U of U Math)

 Title: Mathematical modelling of pigmentation patterning in angelfish
        and zebrafish

 Abstract:

The huge diversity of pigmentation patterns seen on different animal
species has attracted attention from both a modelling and experimental
standpoint. Recently, a model has been proposed to account for stripe
formation in species of marine angelfish, Pomacanthus. While capturing
some essential features, this model has attracted criticism for its
failure to capture certain aspects of pigmentation. We propose a
mechanism incorporating cell movement on a growing two dimensional
domain that can account for these observations. Recent data concerning
growth of zebrafish and related species is being incorporated into the
model. We show how differences in growth can qualitatively account for
inter-species differences in pigmentation. Current work involves the
derivation of experimentally testable predictions to probe the
validity of the model.