2012

• Continuum Mechanics in Biology and Medicine, 17-22 June 2012, UCL
• Stochastic Modelling in Biological Systems, 18-23 March 2012, Oxford.
• Details of other courses to follow 

Continuum Mechanics in Biology and Medicine, 17-22 June 2012, UCL

 There is a continuing upsurge of research in the area of mathematical biology and medicine, principallydue to technological advancements in imaging and treatment along with increased computational power. This upsurge, however, relies to some extent on a great deal of fascinating mathematics, some of which this course aims to present in a clear and concise manner for the benefit of postgraduate students and early-stage researchers

The specific focus of the lectures is on continuum mechanics in biology and medicine, with mathematical modelling, problem construction and analysis together forming the main thrust of the course. A variety of problems from different areas will be discussed providing breadth of understanding for the students as well as increased depth of experience in medical modelling. The mathematical tools highlighted include both novel techniques within the lecturers’ very own up-to-date hot research topics alongside broader subjects that are beneficial for the course attendees. The course aims to cater for applied mathematics, engineering and physical science students and researchers possessing a diverse range of biological and medical research interests involving continuum mechanics.

The three main lecture course topics are:

• Modelling the Circulation (Nick Hill, Glasgow)
• Physiological Fluid Mechanics (Sarah Waters, Oxford)
• Cardiovascular Fluid-Mechanical Frameworks (Nic Smith, King’s College London)

These lecture courses will be supplemented by tutorial sessions.

An introductory module on Principles of Fluid Dynamics will be given by Nick Ovenden (UCL)

A guest lecture will be given by Tim Pedley (Universityof Cambridge).

Course Poster (pdf)

Course website (external link)

Application Form (external link) Deadline: Monday 7 May 2012.

Numbers will be limited and those interested are advised to make an early application.

Stochastic Modelling in Biological Systems, 18-23 March 2012, Oxford.

The importance of stochasticity in biological systems is becoming increasingly recognised. Given the rapid advances in experimental techniques such as single particle tracking, two photon microscopy and gene chip technology, data are being generated on refined spatial scales. This has enabled modellers to complement the "traditional" mean-field, coarse-grained deterministic models with stochastic models that account for small particle numbers (intrinsic noise) and extrinsic noise sources. Biological examples include Brownian dynamics simulations of ion channels, noise in gene regulation at the single-cell level, motor-driven intracellular transport, biochemical reaction kinetics within cells, and noise-mediated detection of weak signals in neuroscience (stochastic resonance), to name but a few.

The course will provide participants with a biological overview before going on to present a number of modelling approaches and methods of analysis, and give participants experience in coding up stochastic simulations. At the end of the course the participants will have familiarised themselves with: the Gillespie stochastic simulation algorithm, the chemical master equation, stochastic differential equations, the Fokker-Planck equation and Stochastic spatio-temporal models.

The three main lecture course topics are:

• Transport processes in cells(Paul Bressloff, University of Utah)
• Stochastic reaction-diffusion models(Radek Erban, University of Oxford)
• Basic concepts and applications(Andre Longtin, University of Ottawa)

Pre-requisites: Participants should have some familiarity with stochastic systems.

Course Poster (pdf)

Course website (external link)

Application Form (external link) Deadline: Monday 6 February 2012.

Numbers will be limited and those interested are advised to make an early application.