Stochastic & Multiscale Modeling and Computation Seminar by Yuan-Nan Young: Coarse-Grained Modeling of Spindle Oscillation

Speaker:

 Yuan-Nan Young, Department of Mathematical Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology

Title:

Coarse-Grained Modeling of Spindle Oscillation

Abstract:

Centrosome and spindle positioning and dynamics are an important part of mitotic spindle formation during cell division. In this talk we present theoretical modeling of centrosome oscillation due to the collective attachment/detachment of cortical force generators to astral microtubules emanating from the centrosome. Focusing on a stoichiometric model for the collective pulling force from the microtubules on the centrosome, we conducted both linear analysis and weakly nonlinear calculations to identify (a) the condition for centrosome oscillation, (b) parameters for stable nonlinear periodic orbits, and (c) oscillation periods of the stable periodic orbits. Full spectral simulations of the stoichiometric model illustrate interesting nonlinear dynamics beyond the weakly nonlinear regime, and provide insight into how noises couple to nonlinear oscillations in the stochastic simulations. These results also provide means to estimate the conditions in biological experiments in the laboratory. This work is supported by Flatiron Institute, part of Simons Foundation.

Contact:

Jan-Eric Sulzbach (jsulzbach@hawk.iit.edu)

Stochastic & Multiscale Modeling and Computation