undergrad student: johnathan do mentor: prof. rui de figueiredo

Simulations of an Extrinsic Stochastic Model of the Development, as a function of age, of the average neuron/synapse population densities in the various cortical regions of the human brain

Undergrad Student: Johnathan DoMentor: Prof. Rui de Figueiredo

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation: August 26,2011

CALIT-2University of California, Irvine

What?

• Create a Computer Simulated Test-bed to model a biological system developed by Rui de Figueiredo. • An extrinsic stochastic model for the development, as a

functions of age, of the average neuron/synapse population densities in cortical regions of the human brain. • The model describes the behavior of neurons and

synapses during neuron-genesis based on input of glial cells and neuron-necrosis based on the input of microglial cells to the system.

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation: August 26,2011

CALIT-2University of California, Irvine

Need to start somewhere.• Glial Cells Radial Glia (Generate astrocytes as well as

neurons)

Astrocytes (Creates barrier between neurons and external blood)

Oligodendrocytes (Myelin sheaths in central nervous system)

Microglia (The first line of defense)

Scwann Cells (Form myelin sheaths in Peripheral Nervous System)

What happens if mutation occurs? (Alexander Disease,hindering the development of glial cells)

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation: August 26,2011

CALIT-2University of California, Irvine

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation: August 26,2011

CALIT-2University of California, Irvine

What to do?

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation: August 26,2011

CALIT-2University of California, Irvine

End Goal?

• Reverse Engineering the Brain• For example:• Studying an Eagle, reverse engineer an Eagle in order to build a

plain.

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation: August 26,2011

CALIT-2University of California, Irvine

Special Thanks• Rui de Figeuiredo• CALIT2 Administrators• SURF-IT Program Directors• Stuar Ross• Said Shockir• Anna Lynn Spitzer• Shellie Nazarenus

SURF-IT Symposium Presentation: August 26,2011

CALIT-2University of California, Irvine