Computer Science Program and Mathematics Program Present
Mathematical Models of Organelle Size Control and Scaling
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
RKC 111
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST/GMT-5
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST/GMT-5
Thomas Fai, Brandeis University
Why do organelles within cells have their particular sizes, and how does the cell maintain them given the constant turnover of proteins and biomolecules? To address these fundamental biological questions, we formulate and study mathematical models of organelle size control rooted in the physicochemical principles of transport, chemical kinetics, and force balance. By studying the mathematical symmetries of competing models, we arrive at a hypothesis describing general principles of organelle size control. In particular, we consider flagellar length control in the unicellular green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and develop a minimal model in which diffusion gives rise to a length-dependent concentration of depolymerase at the flagellar tip. We show how similar principles may be applied to model the size scaling of the nucleus in terms of the nuclear-to-cell volume ratio.For more information, call 845-758-6822, or e-mail [email protected].
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST/GMT-5
Location: RKC 111