Benjamin Liska

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  Student Presentation: A Mathematical Approach to Uncovering Regulatory Mechanisms in Calcium Homeostasis
  Benjamin Liska

  Calcium is a mineral essential to many systems of life. As such, the body regulates levels of calcium in the blood plasma very tightly through a process known as calcium homeostasis. The controlling mechanisms in this process include parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, vitamin D, and the mineral phosphate. Much research has been done on the biology of this system but it is not understood completely. Recently, work has been done to mathematically model this system, however, these models are very complex. In this talk, we will provide a simplified mathematical model of calcium homeostasis that still captures biologically relevant mechanisms. Using the modeling software COPASI (Hoops 2006), we will show numerical simulations and comparisons to experimental data. An analysis of the stability of our nonlinear model provides insights into our dynamical system. We will conclude by showing ways we can predict how various diseases can disturb calcium homeostasis and provide suggestions for further investigation that could lead to effective treatments.