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

这项研究旨在模拟和分析产生振荡、波浪和其他有趣模式的生物机制。激素分泌神经元和细胞是本研究的重点。激素是一种化学物质，虽然数量很少，但却非常有效，几乎控制着生活的方方面面。一种激素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激素节律的起源中心。为了理解下丘脑节律发生，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（包括钙和其他化学物质）的信号传导。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。这个信号对于维持男性和女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。这位研究者的整个研究生涯都是围绕这个系统展开的。近年来，在了解GnRH脉冲发生器的机制方面取得了重要进展。它促使我们开发这个脉冲发生器的数学模型。本系统及相关系统将是本课题研究的重点。

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.