Modeling and analyzing mechanisms that generate oscillations and waves in cells and neurons

这项研究旨在对产生振荡、波动和其他有趣模式的生物机制进行建模和分析。分泌激素的神经元和细胞是本研究的主要重点。荷尔蒙是一种低含量、高效力的化学物质，几乎控制着生活的方方面面。一种荷尔蒙的血液水平通常表现出不同的节律。大脑中的下丘脑是大多数荷尔蒙节律的起源中心。为了了解下丘脑的节律发生，我们需要了解下丘脑神经元的许多方面，从电膜活动到第二信使的信号传递，包括钙和其他化学物质。最著名的例子是促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)，它以脉冲形式释放，周期约为一小时。这一信号对于维持雄性和雌性的正常生殖功能都是必要的。这种节律的缺失或异常是多种生殖和发育疾病的基础。这位调查者的整个研究生涯一直围绕着这个系统，并受到这个系统的推动。最近在了解GnRH脉冲发生器的机制方面取得了重要进展。这促使我们建立了这种脉冲发生器的数学模型。本系统及相关系统将是本文拟研究的重点。

This research is aimed at modeling and analyzing biological mechanisms that generate oscillations, waves and other interesting patterns. Hormone secreting neurons and cells are the main focus of this research. Hormones are chemicals that are highly potent in low quantity that control almost all aspects of life. The blood level of a hormone typically exhibits a variety of rhythms. Hypothalamus in the brain is the center of origin of most hormonal rhythms. To understand hypothalamic rhythmogenesis, we need to understand many aspects of hypothalamic neurons, ranging from electrical membrane activities to signaling of second messengers including calcium and other chemicals. The best known example is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that is released in pulses with a period of about one hour. This signal is necessary for maintaining normal reproductive functions in both male and female. The absence or abnormality of this rhythm underlies multiple reproductive and developmental diseases. This investigator's whole research career has been centered around and motivated by this system. Important progress has been made recently in understanding the mechanism of the GnRH pulse generator. It motivated us to develop mathematical models of this pulse generator. This system and some related systems will be the main focus of this proposed research.