course: "Introduction to mathematical ethology"
speaker: Toshiyuki Nakagaki (Hokkaido University, Sapporo)abstract: Mathematical ethology is proposed as a new direction of mathematical life science: the idea is to bring equations of motion into conventional ethology (ethology is study of animal behavior). Here we primarily focus on single-celled organisms since cell behaviors are elementary and basic in full range of organisms. In this lecture, we'd like to present some of current topics in mathematical ethology of cell and lower animal. We emphasize how standard methods of applied mathematics are used there. The aim of lecture is to show an example of how mathematical methods develop a new direction of science.
The topics we will consider are listed below.
(1) Adaptive Optimization of Foraging Network. A giant amoeba of Physarum (a single celled organism) optimizes its body shape of network form that connects spatially distributed multiple locations of food source. We consider the equations of motion for self-organizations of the optimal shape of network, and a new bio-inspired method of optimal design. In this topic, some of standard methods in applied mathematics are used.
(2) Capacity of Space Memory . Ciliates like Paramecium and Tetrahymena (single-celled swimmer by many hair called cilia emerged from surface of cell) have capacity of memorizing a shape of swimming arena. It is well known that swimming behaviors in ciliates can depend on electrical potential across the membrane, whose dynamics obeys so-called Hodgkin-Huxley type equations (originally proposed for excitation of squid neuron). Based on this knowledge, we will consider the mathematical model for the space memory. Some standard methods of nonlinear dynamics are introduced. This might be partially complimentary to the lecture by Prof. Maria Laura Manca.
(3) Basic mechanics of Crawling Locomotion. Crawling locomotion of lower organisms is often adaptable to a wide variety of ground conditions. Basic and general mechanics of crawling locomotion is considered. You will see the mathematical tools playing a pivotal role of understanding legless and legged crawling although they look different.
timetable:
Tue 30 Aug, 14:30 - 16:30, Aula Dini
Wed 31 Aug, 11:00 - 13:00, Aula Dini
Thu 1 Sep, 11:00 - 13:00, Aula Dini
Mon 5 Sep, 14:30 - 16:30, Aula Dini
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