Mathematical Sciences/GIG: Applications of Mathematics to Physiology

三位主要研究人员，杜克大学数学系的Michael Reed和Harold Layton以及杜克大学细胞生物学系的Jacob Blum正在继续他们的研究项目，将数学分析和机器计算应用于特定的生物学问题。Blum和Reed研究了细胞运输过程中出现的偏微分方程，并研究了听觉脑干核中的信息处理。Layton研究肾脏的生理功能和调节机制。几个新的研究项目正在与其他机构的同事进行，包括：细胞信号的新模型；计算流体动力学在鳗形游泳和微血管流动中的新应用以及大时滞常微分方程和偏微分方程的数学分析。该项目的目的是增加可用于解决生物学和生物医学问题的数学专门知识。这是通过对本科生、研究生和博士后的数学方法和建模技术的培训来实现的，这些方法和建模技术可以提供有关生物系统的有价值的信息。大力发展数学家、这些受训人员以及工业、医疗中心和政府实验室的生物研究人员之间的研究合作。这项活动的资金将由数学科学司、MPS多学科活动办公室以及生物工程和环境系统司提供。

The three principal investigators, Michael Reed and Harold Layton of the Duke Mathematics Department and Jacob Blum of the Duke Department of Cell Biology are continuing their research programs which apply mathematical analysis and machine computation to specific biological problems. Blum and Reed investigate partial differential equations that arise in cellular transport processes and study information processing in nuclei of the auditory brainstem. Layton studies the physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms of the kidney. Several new research projects are underway with colleagues at other institutions including: new models for cell signaling; new applications of computational fluid dynamics to anguilliform swimming and microvascular flows; and the mathematical analysis of large time delays in ordinary and partial differential equations. The purpose of this project is to increase the mathematical expertise that is available for the solution of biological and biomedical problems. This is accomplished by training undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral associates in the mathematical methods and modelling techniques which can give valuable information about biological systems. Strong efforts are made to develop research collaborations between mathematicians, these trainees, and biological researchers in industry, at medical centers, and in government laboratories. Funding for this activity will be provided by the Division of Mathematical Science, the MPS Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, and the Division Of Bioengineering and Environmental Systems.