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SUMMARY:Multiscale Modeling of Axonal Cytoskeleton Dynamics in Disease - C
 huan Xue (Ohio State University)
DTSTART:20160504T140000Z
DTEND:20160504T150000Z
UID:TALK66010@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:INI IT
DESCRIPTION:The shape and function of an axon is dependent on its cytoskel
 eton\, including microtubules\, neurofilaments and actin. Neurofilaments a
 ccumulate abnormally in axons in many neurological disorders including ALS
 . In many situations\, an early event of such accumulation is a striking r
 adial segregation of microtubules and neurofilaments. This phenomenon has 
 been observed for over 30 years now\, but the underlying mechanism is stil
 l poorly understood. To address this problem\, we developed a stochastic m
 ultiscale model for the cross-sectional cytoskeleton dynamics in an axon. 
 The model successfully explained the cytoskeletal segregation and generate
 d testable predictions. Based on the insights obtained using the stochasti
 c model\, we extracted a heuristic nonlocal PDE model that has led to furt
 her insights into this problem through mathematical analysis and fast comp
 utation. These modeling efforts have motivated new experiments in Dr. Anth
 ony Brown&rsquo\;s lab from Dept. of Neuroscience at the Ohio State Univer
 sity.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 2\, Newton Institute
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