Active Glass Theory for Dendritic Spine Plasticity

该奖项是作为2021财年数学和物理科学上升博士后研究奖学金（MPS-Ascend）的一部分。每项研究金在一名赞助科学家的指导下，支助在一个东道机构进行的数学和物理科学研究和培训项目，包括应用于其他学科。Andrei Gasic博士的奖学金支持他的研究项目“树突棘可塑性的活性玻璃理论”。“该奖学金的主办机构是莱斯大学，赞助科学家是彼得·G。Gasic博士建议建立一个理论框架，将树突棘的形态可塑性建模为“活性玻璃”。活性玻璃理论将被用来研究脊柱的底层肌动蛋白网络的机械特性，例如当它响应信号时的应力反应。此外，凝胶化的化学反应动力学和网络玻璃的弹性性能之间的关系将被检查。这一新的理论框架将通过大量的数值模拟进行验证。这也将有助于理解细胞凝聚物或无膜细胞器。该研究员将作为导师参加科学前沿（FIS）夏季研究项目，该项目从少数民族服务机构招募，他将继续成为代表性不足的学生的倡导者。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

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.