Microtubules, - polymer size distribution - and other balance equation models

Speaker: Leah Edelstein-Keshet

Date: Wed, May 9, 2012

Location: PIMS, University of British Columbia

Conference: Mathematical Cell Biology Summer Course

Subject: Mathematics, Mathematical Biology

Class: Scientific

Abstract:

I introduce the differences between microtubules and actin biopolymers, and describe the growing and shrinking phases (with catastrophe and rescue transitions). The equations for polymer size distributions are explained and related to balance equations in a more general setting. The generic 1D balance equation is derived, and special cases of transport and diffusion are explained in both continuous and discrete settings.