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SUMMARY:Modeling C. elegans: The Open Worm Project - Mike Vella\, Departme
 nt of Physiology\, University of Cambridge
DTSTART:20121113T110000Z
DTEND:20121113T120000Z
UID:TALK40703@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Mikail Rubinov
DESCRIPTION:In hoping to understand how complex neural systems work\, we s
 hould start with a predictive model that is small and build up. Unfortunat
 ely\, neuroscience has few predictive models for how complex nervous syste
 ms work. The aim of the Open Worm Project is to start by building a full s
 imulation of a small biological system with a reasonable number of parts\,
  while focusing on capturing as much of the rich detail of that biological
  system as possible.\n\nSimulating a single cell that does not move (such 
 as a yeast cell) is unlikely to provide us with enough of a foundation to 
 build up to more complex organisms by itself. In the field of neuroscience
 \, one of the simplest organisms that is studied is the C. elegans. It has
  a very consistent lifecycle and is comparatively well understood. The adu
 lt male having only 1031 somatic cells\, with which it solves basic proble
 ms of feeding\, mate-finding\, predator and toxin avoidance.\n\nIn buildin
 g the Open Worm model of C. elegans\, each cell is represented individuall
 y\, within a spatial model that includes external physical forces and elec
 tro-mechanical interactions. It is hoped that the constraints provided by 
 requiring a model to provide biologically-realistic mechanical and electri
 cal behaviour may lead to a more fundamental understanding of C. elegans p
 hysiology. Furthermore\, it is hoped that the technology developed by the 
 project will be applicable to more complex problems in future.\n
LOCATION:BCNI seminar room\, Sir William Hardy Building\, Downing Site
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