Probabilistic modelling of three phenomena in the Life Sciences
2011
Willis, L.A.
This thesis describes the development and analysis of three probabilistic models of phenomena in the lifesciences.Model 1 addresses the phenomenon in breast cancer called ‘dormancy’, where patients relapse suddenlyafter many years or decades during which they were regarded as cured. Where and by what mechanism thedangerous residual cancer remains hidden for so long is largely a mystery, and this lack of knowledge makesit difficult to design effective preventive treatments. Analysis of our model leads to a number of predictionsrelated to dormancy’s disease course.Models 2 and 3 simulate the formation of high-fidelity, patterned nanoscale ornamentations in the biosilicaexoskeletons of diatoms, that today defy synthesis in vitro. Very little is known about this diatom biosilicaassembly yet, if the mechanisms are simple or synthetically imitable, then they are potentially of greatinterest to industry and to the curious scientist.Model 3, which is still presently under study, may lead to predictions about the nature of these mechanismsof biosilica assembly. Notably, Model 3 is a new probabilistic model of a well established patternformation process that we envisage to have broader application.
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