Active Glass Theory for Dendritic Spine Plasticity

该奖项是2021财年数学和物理科学提升博士后研究奖学金(MPS-Ascend)的一部分。每个研究金在一名赞助科学家的指导下，支持一个主办机构的数学和物理科学研究和培训项目，包括对其他学科的申请。安德烈·加西奇博士的这一奖学金支持了他的研究项目，名为“树突脊柱可塑性的主动玻璃理论”。该奖学金的主办机构是莱斯大学，赞助科学家是彼得·G·沃林博士。Gasic建议开发一个理论框架，将树枝状刺的形态可塑性建模为一种“活性玻璃”。活动玻璃理论将被用来研究脊柱潜在肌动蛋白网络的机械特性，例如随着信号的增长而增长的应力反应。此外，还将考察凝胶的化学反应动力学与网络玻璃弹性性能之间的关系。这一新的理论框架将通过广泛的数值模拟得到验证。这也将有助于理解细胞凝聚物或无膜细胞器。这位研究员将作为导师参加科学前沿(FIS)暑期研究计划，该计划从少数族裔服务的机构招聘，他将继续为代表不足的学生辩护。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This award is made as part of the FY 2021 Mathematical and Physical Sciences Ascending Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MPS-Ascend). Each fellowship supports a research and training project at a host institution in the mathematical and physical sciences, including applications to other disciplines, under the mentorship of a sponsoring scientist. This fellowship to Dr. Andrei Gasic supports his research project entitled “Active Glass Theory for Dendritic Spine Plasticity." The host institution for the fellowship is Rice University, and the sponsoring scientists is Dr. Peter G. Wolynes.Dr. Gasic proposes to develop a theoretical framework to model the morphological plasticity of dendritic spines as an “active glass”. The active glass theory will be used to examine the mechanical properties of the underlying actin network of the spine, such as the stress response as it grows in response to signals. In addition, the relation between the chemical reaction dynamics of gelation and the elastic properties of the network glass will be examined. This new theoretical framework will be validated through extensive numerical simulations. This will also be useful for understanding cellular condensates or membraneless organelles. The fellow will participate as a mentor for the Frontiers In Science (FIS) summer research program, which recruits from minority-serving institutions, and he will continue to be an advocate for underrepresented students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.