PITTSBURGHIn an effort to promote the application of mathematics to medical treatment, researchers in the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Mathematics will undertake a $2.5 million project to create models of how the brain and immune system function and change over time in response to certain illnesses, infections, and treatment. The models are intended to help doctors better understand and predict the possible short- and long-term responses of their patient's body to treatment.
The National Science Foundation awarded University professor G. Bard Ermentrout, assistant professor Beatrice Riviere, associate professor Jonathan Rubin, assistant professor David Swigon, and professor and interim chair Ivan Yotov a nearly $1.8 million Research Training Group (RTG) award. The RTG includes resources for creating training programs for mathematics students wherein they would work with physicians and biologists to help resolve complicated medical problems through mathematics. Pitt's School of Arts and Scienceswhich houses the mathematics departmentprovided additional funds.
The team will create a variety of computer models based on differential equationswhich predict how systems evolve over timewith the medical guidance of scientists and doctors in Pitt's Departments of Biological Sciences and Neuroscience, the Pitt School of Medicine, and UPMC, said Rubin, a coinvestigator on the project.
The immune system models will plot the various chemical and physical changes that occur as the body battles influenza, inflammation, sepsis and necrosis, and wounds. Ultimately, Rubin explained, the researchers want to pinpoint the origin of such conditions as multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (multiple organ failure), a potentially deadly, uncontrollable inflammation that usually strikes ailing patients with compromised immune systems.
"Infection and inflammation kill people in the intensive care unit," Rubin said. "We hope that by building
'/>"/>
| Contact: Morgan Kelly mekelly@pitt.edu 412-624-4356 University of Pittsburgh Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. NJIT biomedical engineer receives NSF Career Development Award
2. Monash researcher receives prestigious Commonwealth Health Ministers award
3. Spradling receives Gruber Foundation Genetics Prize for new genetic techniques
4. UNH receives $380,000 grant to study organic dairy as closed ecosystem
5. Ape language pioneer Savage-Rumbaugh receives honorary Ph.D. from alma mater
6. Jefferson receives $11.6M NIH grant to study novel mechanisms of heart failure
7. BIO-key(R) Receives $335,000 Contract Award From Baltimore Police
8. UCSB receives $3.2 million stem cell grant from state
9. Smithsonian scientist receives 2008 Medal for Excellence in tropical botany
10. Atmel Receives Frost & Sullivans Technology Innovation Award for FingerChip(R) Biometric Sensor
11. McMaster University engineering professor receives Humboldt Research Award
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |