VPW: Compartmental Models of Cell Growth (Computational Mathematics)

这项研究与细胞生长周期的隔室模型有关，以更好地理解DNA合成和有丝分裂的启动机制。该模型首先由Busenberg和Mahffy提出并分析，他们证明细胞大小的增加可以触发导致DNA合成的生化振荡。然而，营养供应和细胞大小增加之间的关系现在已经很清楚了。此外，电池的几何形状是触发机制中的一个重要因素，到目前为止只处理了球形电池的情况。这项研究将调查营养供应和细胞形状对DNA合成启动的影响。该项目进一步推动了VPW项目的目标，为女性提供通过研究提升她们在科学或工程领域的职业生涯的机会，并通过调查员作为东道主校园榜样的提高知名度，鼓励其他女性在这些领域追求职业生涯。对第二个目标作出贡献的拟议活动包括：教授两节基本微分方程式课程，这将使P.I.能够与许多一年级或二年级的学生互动；与布森伯格联合组织每周一次的数学生物学研讨会；就她自己的研究进行一系列讲座；邀请其他大学的应用数学家作为嘉宾演讲，其中6人将是女性；提供指导和咨询，特别是对女学生。

This research is relative to a compartmental model of the cell growth cycle to better understand the triggering mechanism for the initiation of DNA synthesis and mitosis. The model was first proposed and analyzed by Busenberg and Mahffy who showed that the increase in cell size can trigger biochemical oscillations leading to DNA synthesis. The relation between nutrient supply and increase in cell size is, however, now well understood. In addition, the geometrical shape of the cell is an important factor in the triggering mechanism and so far only the case of a spherical cell has been treated. The research will investigate the effect of nutrient supply and the shape of the cell on the initiation of DNA synthesis. The project furthers VPW program objectives to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in science or engineering through research, and to encourage other women to pursue careers in these areas through the investigator's enhanced visibility as a role model on the host campus. The proposed activities which contribute to the second objective include: teaching two sections of an elementary differential equations course, which will enable the P.I. to interact with many students in their freshman or sophomore years; organizing, jointly with Busenberg, a weekly Mathematical Biology Seminar; giving a series of lectures on her own research; and inviting applied mathematicians from other universities as guest speakers, six of whom would be women; providing guidance and counseling, especially to women students.