Seminar on Collective Behaviour in Microorganism Colonies by Prof. Herbert Levine Thu. 23 May 15:00

Dear All,

We would like to invite you to a seminar by Prof. Herbert Levine, Rice University on Thu 23 May.   

Date/Time:      Thursday, 23 May 2013    15:00 -16:00  

Venue:            Seminar Room C209, Level C, Centre Bldg. 

Speaker:          Prof. Herbert Levine, Department of Bioengineering, Centre for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University

Title:               Collective Behaviour in Microorganism Colonies

Abstract:      

Microorganisms ranging from the eukaryotic amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum to the pattern-forming bacteria Paenibacillus can cooperatively form structured colonies. These capability is enabled by cell-cell communication both by chemical and   mechanical means and by the ability of single cells to respond appropriately to their incoming stimuli. This talk will review several of these examples, showing how one can use ideas from non-equilibrium physics to make sense of the observed behavior and to provide insights into the principles underlying these processes. At the end, we speculate on the extent to which these same principles might help us understand the spread of malignant tumors and provide new strategies to fight cancer.

We welcome all and hope to see you at the seminar. 

Sincerely yours, 

Momoko Zamami 

Biological Physics Theory Unit

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University

1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495 JAPAN

Tel: +81-98-966-2116 (Direct) +81-98-966-8711 (Main)

http: //www.oist.jp