Transcript Simulations of an Extrinsic Stochastic Model of the

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation:
August 26,2011
CALIT-2
University of California, Irvine
Simulations of an Extrinsic Stochastic
Model of the Development, as a function
of age, of the average neuron/synapse
population densities in the various
cortical regions of the human brain
Undergrad Student: Johnathan
Do
Mentor: Prof. Rui de Figueiredo
What?
• Create a Computer Simulated Test-bed to model a
biological system developed by Rui de Figueiredo.
• An extrinsic stochastic model for the development, as a
functions of age, of the average neuron/synapse
population densities in cortical regions of the human
brain.
• The model describes the behavior of neurons and
synapses during neuron-genesis based on input of glial
cells and neuron-necrosis based on the input of
microglial cells to the system.
SURF-IT Symposium Presentation:
August 26,2011
CALIT-2
University of California, Irvine
Need to start somewhere.
• Glial Cells
Radial Glia (Generate astrocytes as well as
neurons)
Astrocytes (Creates barrier between neurons
and external blood)
Oligodendrocytes (Myelin sheaths in
central nervous system)
Scwann Cells (Form myelin sheaths in
Peripheral Nervous System)
Microglia (The first line of defense)
What happens if mutation occurs? (Alexander Disease,
hindering the development of glial cells)
SURF-IT Symposium Presentation:
August 26,2011
CALIT-2
University of California, Irvine
SURF-IT Symposium Presentation:
August 26,2011
CALIT-2
University of California, Irvine
What to do?
•
SURF-IT Symposium Presentation:
August 26,2011
CALIT-2
University of California, Irvine
End Goal?
• Reverse Engineering the Brain
• For example:
• Studying an Eagle, reverse engineer an Eagle in order to build a
plain.
SURF-IT Symposium Presentation:
August 26,2011
CALIT-2
University of California, Irvine
Special Thanks
• Rui de Figeuiredo
• CALIT2 Administrators
• SURF-IT Program Directors
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Stuar Ross
Said Shockir
Anna Lynn Spitzer
Shellie Nazarenus
SURF-IT Symposium Presentation:
August 26,2011
CALIT-2
University of California, Irvine