Mathematical and

1

• Mathematical and
• Computational
• Biosciences
• Initiative
• APRIL 2003 Report
• Dr. Eduardo Mendoza
• Mathematics Department Physics
  Department
• University of the Philippines
  Ludwig-Maximilians-University
• Diliman Munich, Germany
• eduardom_at_math.upd.edu.ph
  Eduardo.Mendoza_at_physik.uni-muenchen.de

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Topics to be covered

• Status of local joint projects
• Status of foreign joint projects
• Related developments

3
Local Joint Projects
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LP1 PAH Pollution Modeling

• Investigators E. Santiago (NSRI), C. Epes, A.
  Hermosilla, E. Baja (Math)
• Activities/Results
• Preliminary analysis of the PAH particulates and
  sediments (2 of 3 data sets from E. Santiago)
  done
• Preliminary analysis of related microbial data
  (Auxie ...) done
• Issues
• SAS installation (student version) needed at NSRI
  for demo/discussion
• Inclusion of analysis of related microbial data
  in the project
• Draft of further project schedule needed
• Next Steps
• Presentation/discussion on prelim analyses
  planned (at NSRI)
• Analysis of 3rd data set (by C. Ejes and/or E.
  Baja)

5
LP2 Coral Reef Modeling

• Investigators H. Yap, R. Dizon, A. Reyes (MSI),
  C. Ejes, A. Hermosilla, E. Mendoza, J. Pasia, R.
  Del Rosario, E. Victoria (Math)
• Activities/Results
• Contact with Ricard Soles group in Barcelona
  (well known for its work on complex ecosystems)
  thru R. Dizon, interest in coop expressed
• Issues
• Next Steps
• Work will be resumed after summer break

6
LP3 Math Immuno- Oncology

• Investigators G. Concepcion, D. xxx (MSI), E.
  Jacinto, E. Mendoza, E. Tan, E. Victoria (Math)
• Activities/Results
• Immuno-Onco Study Group has started its regular
  meetings (met 2 x already), thursdays, 15-16 at
  Math
• Discussions on modeling cell cycle, particular
  pathways in apoptosis have started
• J. Villanueva (IC) will join the group
• Issues
• Next Steps
• Participation in Study Group open to other
  interested groups, detailed minutes available
  (just email me or Giselle)
• Refinement of investigation focus

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LP4 Modeling medical data

• Investigators F. Natividad, R. Matias (St.
  Lukes Med Center), R. Del Rosario, E. Jacinto
  (Math)
• Activities/Results
• MOU draft still being formulated (R. Del Rosario)
• Issues
• A. Hermosilla has several students who might be
  interested in working with the data
• Next Steps

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Foreign Joint Projects
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FP1 Modeling eukaryotic chemotaxis

• Investigators S. Thunnessen (LMU), T.
  Bretschneider (MPI Biochemistry), E. Mendoza
  (Math), P. Naval (CompSci)
• Activities/Results
• Pros Naval did intensive background reading on
  eukaryotic chemotaxis models, initial focus on
  gradient sensing module and possible use of
  heuristic algorithms
• S. Thunnessen is constructing chemotactic trap
  as basis for FCS (fluorescent correlation
  spectroscopy) measurements of Dictyostelium
  movement
• Issues
• Experimental data not yet available
• Next Steps
• Next jour fixe at LMU scheduled in the next two
  weeks
• Pros will look at open source software to be used
  for modeling

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FP2 Math Bio-Character Theory

• Investigators P. Stadler (U Leipzig), A.
  Balbuena, E. Jacinto, E. Mendoza (Math), A. Lao
  (DLSU Math)
• Activities/Results
• A. Balbuena, A. Lao have started to work on their
  theses (including regular meetings of AB with E.
  Jacinto)
• Email discussion between P. Stadler and E.
  Mendoza on refining the research focus
• Issues
• Next Steps
• Monthly progress reports on theses to be
  submitted to E. Mendoza

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FP3 Modeling LAT complexes in T-cells

• Investigators Harder Lab (Oxford U), NIP
  Instrumentation Physics Group, E. Mendoza (Math)
• Activities/Results
• no activities in April
• Issues
• Not clear which NIP resources will be involved
• Next Steps
• Obtain further details on Harder Lab work (E.
  Mendoza)
• Clarify whether/which resources will be available
  (C. Saloma)

12
FP4 Math of RNA Structures

• Investigators P. Stadler (U Leipzig), H.
  Adorna, E. Jacinto, E. Mendoza (Math)
• Activities/Results
• No activities in April
• Issues
• Next Steps
• Clarify plans with H. Adorna and E. Jacinto
  (regarding availability)

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Sustain Nurture Activities April status

• Execute on identified projects
• Establish Immuno-Onco Summer Study Group (Lead
  G. Concepcion/Dennis de Guzman) Thursdays 3 - 4
  pm at Math
• Promote MSI Biological Structures Course (First
  Sem 03 - 04)
• Identify future funding needs and secure
• Strengthen Bioinformatics/Computational Biology
  network (? interdisciplinary Bioinformatics
  program)

14
Feedback/action items April Status

• Find better name for Initiative than MCBI (as
  Ecological and Environmental Sciences are also
  affected)
• Suggestion MLSI (Mathematical Life Sciences
  Initiative) as life sciences encompasses eco,
  enviro and biosciences
• Invite DOST representatives to future events to
  familiarize them with Initiative
• Organize sharing of MSI experience regarding
  research funding acquisition
• Identify Post-doc to focus on Biomath

15
Feedback/action items April status

• Address authors directly for papers rather than
  increase subscriptionsoften faster, more
  focussed and establishes links
• EM to conduct Project Mgmt WS in September
• Request from MSI to create graduate courses on
  modeling for non-Math majors (synch with Math
  undergraduate courses)
• Proposal from Math Graph Theory and Complex
  Networks course, but MSI cannot implement in
  First Sem