---------------------------------------------------- Subject: SMB Digest v08i12 SMB Digest March 20, 2008 Volume 08 Issue 12 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: Submissions for SMB May 2008 Newsletter, Due April 15 Gordon Research Conference: Theoretical Biology & Biomathematics Summer School: Computational & Math Modeling Plant Systems Biology TOC: Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering volume 5, issue 2 PhD Programmes: IGC, Lisbon Fully-funded PhD Studentships: University of Leicester, UK PhD Student: Cell-based Modeling Plant Development, VIB, Ghent Postdoc: Ecological Epidemiology, University of Gothenburg Post-doctoral Research Assistant: University of Dundee Research Positions: Theoretical Systems Biology, Dresden Tenured Positions: Systems and Synthetic Biology, Evry Professor: Biostatistics, Free University of Brussels SMBnet Reminders ---------------------------------------------------- From: Holly D Gaff Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:39:00 -0400 Subject: Submissions for SMB May 2008 Newsletter, Due April 15 Been to an interesting conference in the last few months? Planning an interesting conference? Do you have an opinion about mathematical biology? Is there a hot new area we should know about? Contribute to the next issue of the SMB Newsletter by sending materials to editor@smb.org. Deadline is April 15. Thanks, Holly Gaff SMB Newsletter Editor http://www.smb.org/publications/newsletter.shtml ---------------------------------------------------- From: announcements@grc.org Date: 20 Mar 2008 10:09:25 -0400 Subject: Gordon Research Conference: Theoretical Biology & Biomathematics If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact the Conference Coordinator, Maril Cappelli (MCappelli@grc.org). 2008 GRC - Theoretical Biology & Biomathematics Location: Il Ciocco Hotel and Resort, Lucca (Barga), Italy Dates: Sunday, June 22, 2008 - Friday, June 27, 2008 Conference Chair(s): Aaron L Fogelson (University Of Utah) Eric Cytrynbaum (University Of British Columbia) Here is a link to the conference program that appears on the GRC web site: http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?year=2008&program=theobio If interested in attending this conference, you may apply via the web site: http://www.grc.org/application.aspx?id=8910 ---------------------------------------------------- From: Roeland Merks Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:53:26 +0100 Subject: Summer School: Computational & Math Modeling Plant Systems Biology Summer school: Computational and Mathematical Modeling for Plant Systems Biology September 1-5, 2008, VIB Department of Plant Systems Biology and Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Plant science is evolving from a reductionistic view on gene function to an integrated systems biology approach, in which gene functions are studied in the context of the dynamic behavior of physiological, cellular, or developmental processes. Mathematical and computational modeling play a central role in this multiscale systems biology approach. This summer school will bring together a wide range of computational systems biologists, working on problems at different organizational levels, relevant to plant biologists. The course will start with phenomena occurring at the subcellular and cellular scale, including photosynthesis, cell cycle regulation and the organization of the cytoskeleton. Then it will gradually "scale up" to the tissue, organ, and whole plant levels. It will conclude with pattern formation in tissues, the mechanics of growth, and whole plant development and evolution. Program The course will include a series of general lectures aimed at a general audience of plant biologists, and in-depth afternoon computer lab sessions introducing participants to the underlying mathematical and computational techniques. For more information and registration, please go to http://www.psb.ugent.be/plantmodels. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Yang Kuang Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:43:39 -0700 Subject: TOC: Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering volume 5, issue 2 MBE content of Volume 5, Number 2, April, 2008 http://www.mbejournal.org/StaticLinks/Vol-5-No-2.htm Erika Asano, Louis J. Gross, Suzanne Lenhart and Leslie A. Real, Optimal control of vaccine distribution in a rabies metapopulation model, pp. 219-238. Faina Berezovskaya, Erika Camacho, Stephen Wirkus and Georgy Karev, "Traveling wave" solutions of Fitzhugh model with cross-diffusion, pp. 239-260. Maide Bucolo, Federica Di Grazia, Luigi Fortuna, Mattia Frasca and Francesca Sapuppo, An environment for complex behaviour detection in bio-potential experiments, pp. 261-276. David Iron, Adeela Syed, Heidi Theisen, Tamas Lukacsovich, Mehrangiz Naghibi, Lawrence J. Marsh, Frederic Y. M. Wan and Qing Nie, The role of feedback in the formation of morphogen territories, pp. 277-298. Elena Izquierdo-Kulich and Jose Manuel Nieto-Villar, Morphogenesis of the tumor patterns, pp. 299-313. Chiu-Yen Kao, Yuan Lou and Eiji Yanagida, Principal eigenvalue for an elliptic problem with indefinite weight on cylindrical domains, pp. 315-335. Diene Ngom, Abderrahman Iggidr, Aboudramane Guiro and Abderrahim Ouahbi, An observer for a nonlinear age-structured model of a harvested fish population, pp. 337-354. Nikodem J. Poplawski, Abbas Shirinifard, Maciej Swat and James A. Glazier, Simulation of single-species bacterial-biofilm growth using the Glazier-Graner-Hogeweg model and the CompuCell3D modeling environment, pp. 355-388. Gergely Rost and Jianhong Wu, SEIR epidemiological model with varying infectivity and infinite delay, pp. 389-402. Yican Zhou, Yiming Shao, Yuhua Ruan, Jianqing Xu, Zhien Ma, Changlin Mei and Jianhong Wu, Modeling and prediction of HIV in China: transmission rates structured by infection ages, pp. 403-418. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Manuela Cordeiro Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:24:35 -0000 Subject: PhD Programmes: IGC, Lisbon Applications are now open for the 2008 academic year PhD programmes at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia, in Lisbon, Portugal. The IGC is once again hosting 3 international PhD programmes: Gulbenkian/Champalimaud PhD Programme in Neuroscience http://pd2008.igc.gulbenkian.pt/pgcn/ PhD Programme in Computational Biology http://pd2008.igc.gulbenkian.pt/pdbc/ IGC International PhD Programme in Multidisciplinary Life Sciences http://pd2008.igc.gulbenkian.pt/pgd/ Information on the programmes and application procedures are available at www.igc.gulbenkian.pt. The deadline for applications is 4 April 2008. ---------------------------------------------------- From: "Petrovskiy, Dr S." Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:58:55 +0000 Subject: Fully-funded PhD Studentships: University of Leicester, UK Up to four fully-funded PhD studentships are available in the Department of Mathematics of the University of Leicester, UK. Although the range of the research topics across the department is rather broad, for at least one of the positions a preference may be given for a research related to mathematical biology. Applications are welcome as soon as possible, ideally by April 15th, but later applications may also be considered. For more details about the positions, please visit http://www.jobs.ac.uk/jobs/DF062/EPSRC_PhD_Studentships/ Informal requests can also be sent to Dr. Sergei Petrovskii at sp237@le.ac.uk ---------------------------------------------------- From: Roeland Merks Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:02:59 +0100 Subject: PhD Student: Cell-based Modeling Plant Development, VIB, Ghent The research group Plant Systems Modeling of the Department Plant Systems Biology at the VIB in Ghent, Belgium, has an opening for a Ph. D student (f/m) Computational modeling of phytohormone cross-talk during lateral root initiation The VIB Department Plant Systems Biology in Ghent, Belgium has an opening for an ambitious and energetic research assistant in the research group Plant Systems Modeling, which focuses on computational modeling of plant development. Computer modeling is a crucial pillar in systems biology, a relatively new approach in biology that shifts focus from individual molecules, genes and cells to their dynamic interplay: how do molecules, genes and cells form a working mechanism, behaving in a predictable way? Modeling the biological system in a computer simulation gives us insights into developmental mechanisms that suggest new experiments, which our experimental collaborators test in the wet-lab. What will be your task? You will be building and analyzing dynamical models of auxin transport and its cross-talk with other phytohormones including cytokynin, during lateral root initiation. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with the institute's experimental labs of Dr. Tom Beeckman, Dr. Eva Benková, and Prof. Dr. Jirí Friml. Lateral roots originate from cells in the root basal meristem, a proliferating tissue region just above the root tip, forming a regular branching pattern with evenly spaced lateral roots. The crucial signal for initiating the lateral root is most likely the phytohormone auxin. Auxin levels oscillate at a period of around 15 hours, precisely coinciding with the rhythm by which new lateral roots appear. Our modeling project aims at unraveling the mechanisms behind these oscillating auxin flows, which may be driven by a dynamic interaction between auxin, the production and cellular localization of its transporter proteins, and additional phytohormones that modulate the transporter proteins' localization. In the second part of your project you will also include root growth and the tightly orchestrated cell divisions following lateral root initiation. Your background For this challenging Ph.D dissertation project we are looking for an MSc in mathematical or theoretical biology, or an MSc in physics, applied mathematics or computer science with interest and affinity for biology. Programming experience (C++) and experience in biological modeling are a big plus. What do we offer you? This project gives the opportunity to get a PhD in systems biology, in an energetic, international, multi-disciplinary centre of excellence for plant systems biology. We have funding for four years, but we encourage you to apply for external funds. Interested? Have a look at our website, www.psb.ugent.be, and send your cv and motivated letter of application to: Dr. Roeland Merks / Plant Systems Modeling group Department Plant Systems Biology, VIB and Molecular Genetics, Ghent University Technologiepark 927, 9052 Gent, Belgium Tel: +32 09 33 13823, email: roeland.merks@psb.ugent.be ---------------------------------------------------- From: Karin Harding Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:46:40 +0100 Subject: Postdoc: Ecological Epidemiology, University of Gothenburg Post-doc position in epidemiology; dynamics of infectious disease in metapopulations, Ref.nr E36 1191/08 at Department of Marine Ecology, University of Gothenburg. (Deadline for applications 15 April 2008.) A post-doc position, funded by the Swedish Research Council, on the epidemiology of infectious wildlife diseases is available. The job includes literature surveys, data analysis, and the development of theoretical models. The aim of the program is to develop new empirically based mathematical models that incorporate explicitly several aspects of animal population ecology that are often ignored. Central questions include how spatial structure and seasonal behaviour influence disease dynamics. A comparative approach will be used with diseases particularly in focus being seal plague (Phocine distemper virus) in harbour seal and the bubonic plague in rodents. The candidate should have a biological, mathematical or medical degree with experience in a relevant sub-discipline (for example, mathematical epidemiology, zoonotic disease ecology or the population biology of wildlife disease). It is also important that the candidate has experience in statistics and modelling and is proficient at writing scientific texts. The work will be carried out in collaboration with Dr. Karin Harding (Dep. Marine Ecology, GU) and Prof. Bernt Wennberg (Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers GU). International collaborators on the program are Prof. Mike Begon (Liverpool U.) and Prof Nils Cristian Stenseth (Oslo U). The position is for 18 months. The successful candidate will be based at the Dep. of Marine Ecology in Gothenburg and will be encouraged to participate in joint workshops, seminars and meetings at the Center for theoretical biology http://www.ctbio.science.gu.se/theoretical_biology/ Feel free to contact Karin Harding (karin.harding@marbot.gu.se) for further details. Application Send CV, two reprints, a one page statement of research interests and the names of three referees directly to: The Registrar, University of Gothenburg, Box 100, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden, stating reference number for the position E36 1191/08. Deadline for applications 15 April 2008. Trade union representatives: SACO Martin Björkman tel. +46 31-7863608, SEKO Lennart Olsson tel +46 31-7861173, OFR-S Eva Sjögren tel +46 31-7861169. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Mark Chaplain Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:51:43 +0000 (GMT Standard Time) Subject: Post-doctoral Research Assistant: University of Dundee Post-doctoral Research Assistant, 3 Year Position. "Guidance Cues and Pattern Prediction in the Developing Retinal Vasculature: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Modelling Approach" Professor Mark A.J. Chaplain, Dr. A.R.A. Anderson, Dr. S. McDougall Division of Mathematics University of Dundee, Institute of Petroleum Engineering Heriot-Watt University Applications are sought for the position of post-doctoral research assistant to work on an exciting inter-disciplinary research project concerning the modelling of blood vessel growth and development in the retina. We seek a talented individual with a PhD and background in applied mathematics, physics or other numerate discipline to work in a lively, multi-disciplinary research environment with three research-active supervisors in internationally-acclaimed departments (Mathematics Grade 5, Petroleum Engineering Grade 5* in the last RAE). A knowledge of ordinary and partial differential equations as well as computational/programming training would be an advantage. An interest in biology and the desire to work with experimentalists is necessary. The project is in collaboration with Dr. Christopher Mitchell, University of Ulster, who will be undertaking the experimental aspects of the project. Applications, with full CV and the names of two potential referees, should be sent to: Professor Mark Chaplain, Division of Mathematics, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, Scotland chaplain@maths.dundee.ac.uk tel: 01382 385369 by Friday 11th April 2008. ---------------------------------------------------- From: Lutz Brusch Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:10:44 +0100 Subject: Research Positions: Theoretical Systems Biology, Dresden Three research positions "Theoretical Systems Biology" at Dresden University of Technology, Germany Applications from highly qualified candidates are invited for * two full postdoctoral fellow positions for up to three years and * one PhD position for three years in theoretical systems biology, mathematical biology and computational cell biology. The goal is to discover, in close collaboration with experimental and medical partners, novel biophysical and biochemical mechanisms of information and material transport between subcellular compartments such as the plasma membrane, Golgi and nucleus as well as the spatio-temporal regulation of such mechanisms. The new members of our group will coordinate and conduct the above research and complement running projects which utilise a broad spectrum of theoretical tools with a focus on multi-scale modelling of spatio-temporal pattern formation. The ideal postdoctoral candidate holds a Ph.D. in physics, applied mathematics or biology (or similar), has demonstrated expertise in systems biology, biophysics, nonlinear dynamics, stochastic methods or network analysis and has a strong interest in molecular cell biology. The Ph.D. candidate should possess a masters or diploma degree in physics or applied mathematics. A high level of motivation and commitment are required. Strong communication skills are important for the close collaborations with experimentalists and medical doctors. The envisaged research will be conducted at the interdisciplinary Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH), Dresden University of Technology, Germany, which hosts a department focusing on the mathematical modelling of biological systems (head: Andreas Deutsch). The Dresden campus is characterized by a vibrant international community of researchers that performs cross-disciplinary research at the highest level in state-of-the-art research centers. The city of Dresden and its surroundings are also rich in culture and impressive scenery. ZIH is an equal opportunity employer and strives to increase the number of women in research. We also encourage and invite applications from disabled individuals, who will be given priority if suitably qualified. The positions are available from June 1, 2008. Deadline for applications (by email, including contact details of two references): April 10, 2008. Contact: Andreas Deutsch Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH) Dresden University of Technology, Germany Tel.: +49 351 463-31943 Fax.: +49 351 463-38245 Email: andreas.deutsch@tu-dresden.de WWW: http://theobio.mtbio.de/imc ---------------------------------------------------- From: François Képès Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:55:13 +0100 Subject: Tenured Positions: Systems and Synthetic Biology, Evry Dear Colleague, I am seeking your help in identifying suitable high-level candidates for: - 1 tenured Associate Professorship in Synthetic Biology and Biophysics (1); - 1 tenured Assistant Professorship in Systems Biology and Genome Architecture (2). Interested applicants must have been previously "qualified" by the French ministery (Qualifications au CNU), and should apply by regular mail to the University before April 01, 2008. Coming up soon on http://www.univ-evry.fr/PagesHtml/RecrutementEC_2008.htm Please encourage interested applicants to contact me ASAP. Yours sincerely, François Képès http://www.epigenomique.genopole.fr/~kepes Epigenomics Project, Genopole® Tour Évry2, 10th floor, 523 Terrasses de l'Agora F-91034 ÉVRY cedex, FRANCE Francois.Kepes@epigenomique.genopole.fr Phone: 33 1 69 47 44 31 Assistant: 33 1 69 47 44 30 Fax: 33 1 69 47 44 37 These two Professorships will start in Sept 2008 in Evry near Paris. Research will take place at the newly founded institute of Systems and Synthetic Biology (iSSB) of Genopole®. Genopole® is the largest French Biopark, with over 60 biotech companies and over 20 academic laboratories, and a total of about 2000 scientists. iSSB offers a creative and interdisciplinary setting in a brand new 2000 m2 building opening at the end of the year (a brief description is attached). Teaching will be at the Department of Biology, University of Evry (yet non-biologists are strongly encouraged to apply). ---------------------------------------------------- From: Samuel Fiorini Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:48:54 +0100 Subject: Professor: Biostatistics, Free University of Brussels Open position for a professor in Biostatistics at the Department of Mathematics of ULB (Free University of Brussels) starting in October 2008. Description The Faculty of Sciences of the Free University of Brussels (ULB) announces the opening of a full-time position for a "chargé de cours" (first professorial level) in Biostatistics starting October the 1st, 2008. This is a tenured full-time permanent position within the Department of Mathematics. The position involves both teaching and research and some commitment to administrative tasks. For candidates not fluent in French, a temporary period of teaching in English may be granted. The candidate will be expected to create a Master in Biostatistics. Evaluation will be based on the ability to create a research group, as well as participating to high quality teaching at the Department of Mathematics. Candidates are required to have a PhD in mathematics, research papers published at an international level in the domain of biostatistic, and should demonstrate their ability for teaching at university level. A significantly long research stay in a foreign university or research laboratory will be considered as an advantage. The successful candidate should progressively increase the teaching activities to reach a level comparable to that of other professors(typically 5 hours a week for two semesters). This position will become permanent after a trial period of three years. How to apply ? Applications should be sent as soon as possible, and before May, 1st 2008 to the following address: Professeur Philippe Vincke, Recteur de l'ULB ULB CP 130 Av F.D. Roosevelt B-1050 Bruxelles with subject :"Vacance Chargé de cours en biostatistique au Département de Mathématique, Sciences". A copy of the application should be sent to: Professeur Simone Gutt Présidente du Département de Mathématique ULB CP 218 Campus Plaine Boulevard du Triomphe B-1050 Bruxelles The application should consist of a description of the candidate's research goals, a curriculum vitae and a copy of the most significant publications (up to five). Additional information : As stated by the 1rst article of its statute, the University of Brussels is a non discriminating institution and all its members are expected to adhere to its fundamental principles. For any additional information please contact Prof. Simone Gutt ( sgutt@ulb.ac.be ), head of the Department of Mathematics. ---------------------------------------------------- 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 **************************************************** ----------------------------------------------------