Mathematical Biology Seminar: Michael Rempe

Abstract:

I will present a biologically-based mathematical model that accounts for several features of human sleep and demonstrate how particular features depend on  interactions between a circadian pacemaker and a sleep homeostat. The model is made up of regions of cells that interact with each other to cause transitions between sleep and wake as well as between REM and NREM sleep. Analysis of the mathematical mechanisms in the model yields insights into potential biological mechanisms underlying sleep and sleep disorders including stress-induced insomnia and fatal familial insomnia.