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This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.

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3301 College Avenue
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SharkBytes Archives

Contact

Division of Public Relations and Marketing Communications
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314-7796

communications@nova.edu

Upcoming Mathematics Colloquium Talks Discuss Using Math to Research Cartilage, Viruses

The next two talks in the Mathematics Colloquium Series, hosted by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Math, Science, and Technology, will take place on consecutive days and feature presentations by graduate students from the University of Iowa and the University of Florida.

“Reaction-Diffusion-Delay Model for Chondrocyte/Cytokine Interactions During Typical Injury Response in Articular Cartilage”
Presented by Jason Graham (University of Iowa)

Wednesday, Mar. 14
Noon¬–1:00 p.m.
Mailman-Hollywood Building | Room 310

Presentation Abstract
Mechanical or chemical stress to cartilage kills chondrocytes (i.e., cartilage cells) resulting in the development of lesions on the cartilage surface. The typical injury response often causes collateral damage, which results in the spread of these lesions beyond the region of initial injury. This increases the chances of development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. A balancing act between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines determines the amount of collateral damage that occurs and suggests possible therapies for limiting such damage. In this talk, Graham will discuss his work that aims to develop a mathematical representation for the interactions of such cytokines and the resulting effects on the cartilage cell population, which may be used to investigate the spread or abatement of post-injury cartilage damage.

“Mathematical Modeling of Within-Host Virus Dynamics Under Periodic Combination Drug Therapy”
Presented by Cameron Browne (University of Florida)

Thursday, Mar. 15
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Mailman-Hollywood Building | Room 311

Presentation Abstract
Modeling within-host virus dynamics has been a popular research topic in the mathematical biology community over the past two decades, especially in the case of HIV. A mathematical model can help scientists to gain greater understanding of virus-host interactions. In this talk, Browne will discuss the dynamical consequences of incorporating combination drug therapy in a classical within-host virus model. The combination therapy consists of two different types of antiviral medication, both of which have time-periodic efficacy functions. Using perturbation techniques and Floquet theory, Browne will argue that the timing between dosages of the two different drugs can critically affect the virus dynamics. Moreover, he will support the theoretical findings with numerical simulations. Understanding the optimal timing of drug dosages may aid in designing anti-HIV treatment strategies and motivates interesting mathematical and biological questions for future research.

The Mathematics Colloquium Series aims to increase awareness of mathematics’ importance and applications in daily life. These talks are free and open to the public.

For more information on these lectures or the series, contact Vehbi Paksoy, Ph.D., or Iuliana Stanculescu, Ph.D.