View Proposal #438
If this proposal belongs to you, you are authorized to update it. Use the menu on the right.
| ID | 438 |
|---|---|
| First Name | Meghan |
| Last Name | Stevens |
| Institution | Drake University |
| Speaker Category | undergraduate student |
| Title of Talk | Global Dynamics of a Breast Cancer Competition System |
| Abstract | In this talk I present a system of five ordinary differential equations to model the competition for space and resources between breast cancer cells and healthy cells. Included is the cancer stem cell hypothesis, which states that there exist proliferating cancer stem cells that repopulate non-proliferating tumor cells and can lead to tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells exist in a smaller population, making them harder to detect. Additionally, the system contains an equation for the immune system in order to show how the body naturally defends itself from invading tumors. Finally, because the majority of breast cancer cells are estrogen-receptor positive, the role of excess estrogen in the body introduced through birth control in included. Estrogen increases the amount of cancer cells while hindering the effectiveness of the immune system. Its presence also increases the likelihood that healthy cells will mutate.Through stability analysis of sub-models in addition to the full model, states in which cancer is eradicated are found, as well as states in which cancer persists, given certain parameter values. |
| Subject area(s) | Ordinary Differential Equations, Mathematical Biology, Global Dynamics |
| Suitable for undergraduates? | Y |
| Day Preference | SaturdayMild |
| Computer Needed? | Y |
| Bringing a laptop? | N |
| Overhead Needed? | Y |
| Software requests | Adobe Reader |
| Special Needs | |
| Date Submitted | 09/12/2016 |
| Year | 2016 |