---------------------------------------------------- Subject: SMB Digest v08i09 SMB Digest March 3, 2008 Volume 08 Issue 9 ISSN 1086-6566 Editor: Ray Mejía ray(at)smb(dot)org Note: Information about the Society for Mathematical Biology, including an application for membership, may be found in the SMB Home Page, http://www.smb.org/ . Access the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, the official journal of SMB, at http://www.springer.com/11538 . Inquiries about membership or BMB fulfillment should be sent to membership(at)smb(dot)org . Issue's Topics: Workshop: The Confluence of Biology and Mathematics ..., May 16-17 Grads/Undergrads: Math/Field Ecology Summer Program, Michigan State U IMA NEW DIRECTIONS SHORT COURSE: Mathematical Neuroscience 2008 MBI Workshop for Young Researchers in Mathematical Biology Thematic Program on Mathematical and Quantitative Oncology, VICBC International Conference: Chaotic Modeling and Simulation (CHAOS2008) ECMTB08: Contributed Talk Deadline Friday 14th March TOC: Journal of Biological Dynamics, Volume 2 Issue 1 PhD Studentship: Plant Systems Biology, Imperial College London Graduate Positions: Theoretical Biology, Royal Holloway, U London Postdoc Position: Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University Instructorship Position: Computational and Applied Mathematics, Rice U SMBnet Reminders ---------------------------------------------------- From: Renee Fister Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:58:59 -0600 Subject: Workshop: The Confluence of Biology and Mathematics ..., May 16-17 The BioMAPS group (working under a NSF-UBM grant) at Murray State University would like to invite you, graduate students and especially your undergraduate students to attend a workshop on May 16-17, 2008. The meeting is entitled "The Confluence of Biology and Mathematics in the Commonwealth." Activities will begin on Friday at noon. We will have 3 plenary speakers (Professors Chris Mecklin, Andy Long, and John Jungck) sharing some important tools in biomathematics research. Also, there will be a poster session for undergraduates students engaged in research involving both biology and mathematics. This is a great opportunity for your students who have engaged in research over the spring semester or academic year to present their findings to others with similar interests. There is no registration fee. However, the deadline for registration is Friday, May 2, 2008. There will be funds available for 30 undergraduate students to stay at the Best Western on Friday night (double occupancy). We would also like to go hiking with you on Saturday afternoon at Land Between the Lakes after the end of the conference. If you need more info, email me at christopher.mecklin@murraystate.edu or go to http://campus.murraystate.edu/biomaps ---------------------------------------------------- From: Robin Snyder Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:33:10 -0500 (EST) Subject: Grads/Undergrads: Math/Field Ecology Summer Program, Michigan State U Deadline Extended Scholarship Support Available Mathematics and Field Ecology Summer Program 16 June - 1 August for Undergraduate and Graduate Students at Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University http://www.kbs.msu.edu/ELME Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) will once again host the summer program known as ELME, Enhancing Linkages between Mathematics and Ecology. ELME is a course-work based research experience designed for students with an interest in applying mathematics to questions in ecology and evolution. The program is designed for students both with and without formal training in mathematics. Participants in the full program take 3 one-week math courses on topics that are relevant to ecology/evolution and then apply these tools in a four-week field ecology/evolution course. Students can enroll in a subset of the ELME courses if that better fits their needs and schedules. Mathematics 1-week courses: Introduction to Theoretical Population Biology - MTH 490.431 Robin E. Snyder, Case Western Reserve University June 16 - June 20 Theoretical Community and Ecosystem Ecology - MTH 490.432 Christopher Klausmeier, Kellogg Biological Station, MSU June 23 - June 27 Maximum Likelihood Analysis in Ecology - MTH 490.433 Ben Bolker, University of Florida June 30 - July 3 Ecology 4-week course: Field Ecology and Evolution - ZOL/PLB 440 Gary Mittelbach and Jeff Conner Kellogg Biological Station, MSU July 7 - Aug 1 Undergraduate Fellowships ($2500, plus housing, travel, and tuition) are available for students enrolling in the full ELME program. Graduate scholarships are available for tuition and housing. More information about KBS and the ELME program is available at http://www.kbs.msu.edu/ELME. The application deadline for enrollment and scholarships is 10 March 2008. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Willard Miller Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:56:56 -0600 Subject: IMA NEW DIRECTIONS SHORT COURSE: Mathematical Neuroscience IMA NEW DIRECTIONS SHORT COURSE Mathematical Neuroscience June 16 - 27, 2008 Application deadline: April 1, 2008. Principal Instructors: G. Bard Ermentrout and Jonathan E. Rubin (Pittsburgh) The IMA is hosting a course on Mathematical Neuroscience aimed at mathematicians wishing to get involved in this burgeoning area of research. Participation is funded but by application only. Neuroscience is becoming increasingly quantitative and the need for theoreticians interested in collaborating with experimental neuroscientists will only increase in the coming years. In addition to a need for modeling, the kinds of problems which arise in neuroscience applications are mathematically interesting in their own right. For example, much of the theory behind Evans functions was developed in order to study stability of solutions to PDEs arising in the propagation of nerve impulses. The IMA will host this intensive short course June 16-27, 2008, designed to provide researchers in the mathematical sciences and related disciplines with basic concepts in cellular and systems neuroscience, with an emphasis on the underlying equations and dynamics, prerequisite to undertaking research in this field. Topics, taught by leading researchers in the area, will include spatial propagation in single cells, the role of noise, synchronization of oscillatory behavior, network dynamics, and reduction/averaging methods. The toolbox includes singular perturbation, dynamical systems, simulations, and stochastic methods. This course will be limited to 25 participants, typically mathematics faculty, selected by application. All successful applicants will be funded for travel and local expenses, and expected to participate in the full two week program. For more information and to apply online: www.ima.umn.edu/2007-2008/ND6.16-27.08/ ---------------------------------------------------- From: jday@mbi.ohio-state.edu Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:40:29 -0500 (EST) Subject: 2008 MBI Workshop for Young Researchers in Mathematical Biology The Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) would like to announce the 2008 MBI Workshop for Young Researchers in Mathematical Biology (WYRMB) September 2-4, 2008 Mathematical Biosciences Institute, The Ohio State University Columbus OH, USA Application Deadline: April 4, 2008 Apply at: http://www.mbi.ohio-state.edu/forms/wyrmbapplyworkshop.html This workshop is intended to broaden the scientific perspective of young researchers in mathematical biology and to encourage interactions with other scientists. Workshop activities include plenary talks and poster sessions, as well as group discussions on issues relevant to mathematical biologists. We cordially invite young mathematical biologists to participate. The MBI will plan to cover local expenses for all invitees, but travel expenses may only be available on a competitive basis. Accepted Plenary Speakers: - Carson Chow, Department of Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh and Laboratory of Biological Modeling, NIDDK, NIH - Stephen Coombes, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham - Jun Liu, Department of Statistics, Harvard University - Markus Owen, Division of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Nottingham - John White, Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah Further Details can be found at: http://www.mbi.ohio-state.edu/postdocworkshop/wyrmb2008.html ---------------------------------------------------- From: Lourdes Estrada Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:02:34 -0600 Subject: Thematic Program on Mathematical and Quantitative Oncology, VICBC Thematic Program on Mathematical and Quantitative Oncology July 30-August 2, 2008 Vanderbilt Integrative Cancer Biology Center (VICBC) August 2 - 6, 2008 "Current Challenges in Oncology, through the Mathematical Looking Glass" Fields Institute, Toronto, Canada We are excited to announce the opening of the online registration page and funding application for the Thematic Program on Mathematical and Quantitative Oncology and the 4th Annual Workshop for the Vanderbilt Integrative Cancer Biology Center (VICBC). Both programs are scheduled to take place this summer at the Fields Institute which specializes in Research in Mathematical Science in Ontario, Canada. The Thematic Program on Mathematical and Quantitative Oncology will be held July 30th thru August 2nd and the VICBC's 4th Annual Workshop will follow beginning on August 2nd and continuing thru August 6th. Please follow the links below to learn more about these programs and how you can register: http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/programs/scientific/08-09/mathoncology/ AND http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/programs/scientific/08-09/mathoncology/summerschool.html Organizing Committee (Vanderbilt): L. Estrada, P. Crooke, L. Matrisian, G. Webb and V. Quaranta (Dundee): A.R.A. Anderson (Waterloo): M. Kohandel, S. Sivaloganathan ---------------------------------------------------- From: Christos H. Skiadas Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 00:58:36 GMT Subject: International Conference: Chaotic Modeling and Simulation (CHAOS2008) Dear Colleague, This is a call for Abstract submission (deadline March 10, 2008) to the forthcoming Nonlinear Conference titled: Chaotic Modeling and Simulation International Conference (CHAOS2008), Chania, Crete, Greece, June 3-6, 2008. The forthcoming International Conference (Chaos2008) on Chaotic Modeling, Simulation and Applications will take place at the MAICh Conference Centre, Chania, Crete, Greece (June 3-6, 2008). The general topics and the special sessions proposed for the Conference (Chaos2008) include but are not limited to: Chaos and Nonlinear Dynamics, Stochastic Chaos, Chemical Chaos, Data Analysis and Chaos, Hydrodynamics, Turbulence and Plasmas, Optics and Chaos, Chaotic Oscillations and Circuits, Chaos in Climate Dynamics, Geophysical Flows, Biology and Chaos, Neurophysiology and Chaos, Hamiltonian systems, Chaos in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Chaos and Solitons, Micro- and Nano- Electro-Mechanical Systems, Neural Networks and Chaos, Ecology and Economy. For more information and submission details please visit the conference website at: http://www.asmda.net/chaos2008/ ---------------------------------------------------- From: Mark Chaplain Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 12:21:14 +0000 (GMT) Subject: ECMTB08: Contributed Talk Deadline Friday 14th March The deadline for submission of abstracts for contributed talks and posters for ECMTB08 is Friday 14th March. Full details can be found at the conference web-site: http://www.maths.dundee.ac.uk/ecmtb08 or directly at URL: http://www.maths.dundee.ac.uk/ecmtb08/subAbstract.php ECMTB08 Organising Committee ecmtb08@maths.dundee.ac.uk ---------------------------------------------------- From: "Sternberg, Zoe" Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 09:14:38 -0000 Subject: TOC: Journal of Biological Dynamics, Volume 2 Issue 1 Journal of Biological Dynamics: Volume 2 Issue 1 is now available online at informaworldTM. http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~content=t744398444~db=all How flocculation can explain coexistence in the chemostat p. 1 Authors: B. Haegeman; A. Rapaport Plankton-toxin interaction with a variable input nutrient p. 14 Authors: Sophia R. -J. Jang; James Baglama; Johannes Rick Spatial synchrony through density-independent versus density-dependent dispersal p. 31 Authors: Tamara Münkemüller; Karin Johst Predation may defeat spatial spread of infection p. 40 Authors: Ivo Siekmann; Horst Malchow; Ezio Venturino The importance of census times in discrete-time growth-dispersal models p. 55 Authors: Frithjof Lutscher; Sergei V. Petrovskii An impulsive delayed SEIRS epidemic model with saturation incidence p. 64 Authors: Tailei Zhang; Zhidong Teng Book review p. 85 Authors: Christian T. K. -H. Stadtländer ---------------------------------------------------- From: J. Stark Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:30:35 +0000 Subject: PhD Studentship: Plant Systems Biology, Imperial College London Centre for Integrative Systems Biology at Imperial College (CISBIC) A PhD position in systems biology of plants is available at Imperial College, London from 1st October 2008. The position is funded by a joint Microsoft Research/BBSRC Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award, and will be jointly supervised by Dr Radhika Desikan (Biology) and Professor Jaroslav Stark (Mathematics/CISBIC). The award, for a total amount of £90,000 will cover tuition fees and living expenses. The project aims to build a mathematical model of the integrated signalling networks in plant cells called stomatal guard cells. These cells regulate water and gas exchange between the plant and the environment. Modelling of the signal integration processes is essential in order to understand better how plants may be able to survive adverse conditions, such as those caused by global warming. The project will develop a dynamical model to fit the existing data. The model will in turn inform the choice of further biological experiments, and their outcome will enable more complex modelling. Deterministic methods from linear and non-linear differential equations will be employed (such as bifurcation analysis) as well as stochastic differential equations. A student with mathematics/computer science/computational biology background (with grades equivalent to a UK first class honours degree) of a nationality from those countries eligible for the DHPA (see www.rcuk.ac.uk/hodgkin/ ) will be eligible. The student will interact with both biologists (in RD's lab) and mathematical modellers (in JS group/CISBIC) in order to further this project. For further details contact Dr Radhika Desikan (r.desikan@ic.ac.uk) or Professor Jaroslav Stark (j.stark@ic.ac.uk). Closing date for applications is 30th April 2008. A PDF of this advertisement can be found at http://www.ma.ic.ac.uk/~jstark/PDF/MSR%20Plant%20PhD.pdf ---------------------------------------------------- From: Jansen Vincent Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:55:50 -0000 Subject: Graduate Positions: Theoretical Biology, Royal Holloway, U London The following 2 PhD studentships in theoretical biology are currently advertised in my group: Project 1: The evolution of pseudogamy and the emergence of diversity and altruism. Project 2: Lymphocyte homeostasis in man; measurement and modelling of thymic versus peripheral generation of nave lymphocytes in the maintenance of normal T-cell pools. Description project 1: The evolution of pseudogamy and the emergence of diversity and altruism. Main supervisor: Prof. Vincent Jansen, co-supervisor: Dr Ian Barnes This PhD Studentship aims to investigate how diversity of and altruism emerge using mathematical modelling and simulation studies. The research will be inspired by the evolution of pseudogamy. Pseudogamy is a form of reproduction where the males do not contribute genetic material to the next generation, despite the fact that the females can only reproduce if they have mated. This studentship is suitable for candidates with a degree(UK 2.1 degree or higher or equivalent thereof) in biology and proven skills in mathematical modelling/computer programming or for applicants with a degree in a quantitative subject (e.g. physics, mathematical or computer science) and an affinity for biology. The studentship will cover fees at UK-EU level and a maintenance stipend of approximately 14,000 per annum for 3 years. We will not consider candidates from outside the EU unless the candidate has additional funding available. The selected candidate will start in or close to October 2008 will work in the research groups of J If you require further information on this studentship, see or http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/Vacancies/2008_Jansen.doc contact Vincent.jansen@rhul.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 19 March 2008. The interviews are planned for the week of 21 April 2008. To apply, use the form on http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/Vacancies/2008_PhDapplicationForm.pdf or generate your own form using http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Registry/Admissions/applyonline.html. Please send the completed form, together with a recent CV, to Prof. Vincent Jansen, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX by post or e-mail. If you use the online application, please make sure you send a copy of the application form by email to Vincent.jansen@rhul.ac.uk. Description project 2: Joint PhD Studentship with Royal Holloway - St Georges University of London Lymphocyte homeostasis in man; measurement and modelling of thymic versus peripheral generation of nave lymphocytes in the maintenance of normal T-cell pools. Lead Supervisor: Derek Macallan, Professor in Infectious Diseases and Medicine, Centre for Infection, St George's, University of London. Co-supervisor: Vincent Jansen, Professor of Mathematical Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London. Project Description Lymphocyte populations persist because dying cells are continually replaced, unless replacement fails, as in HIV infection, with devastating consequences. Within this context, some clonal populations must be retained long-term in order to confer "immunological memory". How this is achieved is poorly understood. This project seeks to extend our understanding of human lymphocyte physiology by combining in vivo measurements of lymphocyte kinetics in human studies in Dr Macallan's laboratory at St George's with theoretical modelling and in silico experiments in Dr Jansen's group at RHUL. We will specifically study the role of nave cells (defined by surface markers such as CD31) in regenerating peripheral nave populations and investigate the effect of ageing on this process. We will compare in vivo nave T-cell labelling data with data on rates of recent thymic emigration from the abundance of T-cell receptor rearrangement DNA excision circles (TREC). This combined approach will provide important new insights by r How to apply For further enquiries, see http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Biological-Sciences/Vacancies/2008_SWAN_Macallan&Jansen.doc contact Derek Macallan (macallan "at" sgul.ac.uk) or Vincent Jansen (Vincent.jansen "at" rhul.ac.uk). This project will provide fees at UK-EU level and a maintenance stipend. We are seeking candidates with a degree (UK 2.1 degree or higher (or equivalent)) in biology or biomedical sciences with either relevant laboratory skills of relevant mathematical/statistical/computer science skills. To apply please send a CV, an application form http://www.swlacademicnetwork.ac.uk/documents/PhDSWanApplicationform08.doc (which can be downloaded from http://www.swlacademicnetwork.ac.uk/PhDStudentships.html), plus two letters of reference, as well as the title and supervisors name to enquiries@swlacademicnetwork.ac.uk by 7th April 2008. ---------------------------------------------------- From: a-bayliss@northwestern.edu Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:53:30 +0000 Subject: Postdoc Position: Applied Mathematics, Northwestern University The Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics at Northwestern University expects to recruit a Postdoctoral Fellow for appointment beginning in fall, 2008 as part of an NSF sponsored Research Training Grant project. This project will provide support for the Postdoctoral Fellow for a period of up to three years. The successful candidate will teach an average of one course per quarter and will have the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary research teams on cutting edge applied mathematics research in the life sciences and mechanics. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled. This position is restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Please contact Alvin Bayliss (a-bayliss@northwestern.edu) for further details. Northwestern University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications from women and under-represented minorities are encouraged. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Steve Cox Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:40:04 -0600 (CST) Subject: Instructorship Position: Computational and Applied Mathematics, Rice U The department of Computational and Applied Mathematics at Rice University is seeking an NSF VIGRE Instructor. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents with a Ph.D. in a math-heavy field with focus on math biology, preferably computational neuroscience. Duties include teaching one course per semester and co-organization of a research seminar. Please reply to cox@rice.edu Steve Cox Professor of Computational and Applied Mathematics Director: Gulf Coast Consortium for Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience http://cohesion.rice.edu/centersandinst/gcc/neuro.cfm Rice University 6100 South Main Street Hosuton, TX 77005 ---------------------------------------------------- Subject: SMBnet Reminders To subscribe to the SMB Digest please point your browser at http://list.auckland.ac.nz/mailman/listinfo/math-smbnet and complete the subscription information. Alternatively, if you prefer to simply receive notice when the next issue is available, send mail to LISTSERV@listserv.biu.ac.il with "subscribe SMBnet Your Name" in the body of the mail (omit the quotes and include your name). After you subscribe, you will receive a greeting with additional information. Submissions to appear in the SMB Digest may be sent to SMBnet(at)smb(dot)org Items of interest to the mathematical biology community may be submitted for inclusion in the SMBnet archive. See instructions at: http://smb.org/publications/SMBnet/pubs/fyi . The SMB Digest is also available on the SMB Home Page at http://smb.org/publications/SMBnet/digest/ The contents of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part with attribution. End of SMB Digest **************************************************** ----------------------------------------------------