Two topics of collaborations with experimental biologists


Atsushi Mochizuki*, Kenichi Nakazato and Daisuke Saitou (*: speaker)
(RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Wako 351-0198)

10/01/19, 16:00 - 17:30 at Room 3631 (6th floor of building 3 of the Faculty of Sciences)


I will introduce two mathematical studies for biological phenomena in molecular and behavior levels.

(1) Detecting thermotactic properties from movie data
The nematode C. e.elegans show an intelligent behavior of thermotaxis by sensorimotor integration. Using technology of video analysis, we traced amounts of paths of worms on thermal gradient to get the high-precision data. Analyzing the data statistically, we clarify the detailed strategy of worms in thermotactic behavior. The results revealed that the worms on thermal gradients switch two different strategies depending on temperature zone. It suggests the internal mechanisms of information processing of the worms. This study is collaboration work with Drs. Mori and Kuhara in Nagoya University.

(2) Mathematical modeling for gene expression of vertebrate segmentation
Segmentation in vertebrate PSM (presomitic mesoderm) is established by the series of pattern formation in different levels. Some genes in downstream level suppress the activity of upstream genes. The negative feedback seems to realize transient patterning. We developed two different mathematical models, where the negative-regulator genes are different. We found that the previously believed regulation cannot explain the mutant expression patterns, but the newly proposed model can do. The mathematical model gave an integrative understanding and a working hypothesis for the regulatory network system including many genes. This study is collaboration work with Drs. Takada and Takahashi in National Institute for Basic Biology.


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