Investigating The Effect Of Intercellular Signaling on The Proliferation and The Migration of A Cell Collective: A Biophysical and Mathematical Modeling Approach

Project Description:

Bioengineered synthetic forms of intercellular signaling, which involves signal sending (ligand) and signal receiving (receptor) cells, could play an important role in developing medical treatment modalities for diseases such as cancer.

This project involves developing a theory-based mechanistic mathematical model of intercellular juxtracrine signaling in a proliferating cell collective. Mathematical tools will include difference and/or differential equations and numerical solution techniques. We will be collaborating with Dr. Dawson he approaches the problem by developing a physics-based computational model.

This project also involves developing a physics-based computational model of intercellular juxtacrine signaling in a proliferating cell collective and study: (i) signal distribution pattern in the cell collective, (ii) the influence of cell mechanical properties on signal distribution. The results of the model will be validated by a mathematical model developed in collaboration with a team of mathematical biologists. 

Interested student should be curious to learn about a new area of science. 

Basic exposure to Matlab-based scientific computing and mathematical reasoning is preferred.  

Eligible students must have taken CS 171 (or equivalent) and Calculus III and/or Differential Equations. 

Accepting 1 Student