Group of Theoretical Biology
at the IZMB, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bonn University

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Our Group

is interdisciplinary and consists in its core of one student of biology, three students of biology working on their "Diplom" theses, three biologists and one mathematician working on their PhD, three postdoctoral researchers, two physicists and a biologist, and a professor of theoretical biology with docentship ("Habilitation") in mathematics. [more ...]

Featured example of our work

Our current example shows a simple model for actin-filament-interaction based on a particle system governed by Newtonian dynamics with near indefinitely small masses. Two bead-rod chains interact with each other via a range-dependent force of attraction (Fa) affecting their otherwise purely stochastic Browninan-type motion. This motion is induced by applying a randomly oriented force to each single particle -i.e. bead- of the chain at every time-step of the simulation (10 ms realtime). Hookean springs between pairs of particles maintain the starting length, while bending forces (Fb) counteract the deformation of the semiflexible rod-like filament. [mehr ...]

What is Theoretical Biology?

The aim of theoretical biology is to unveil general principles in the vast multitude of biological phenomena. Theoretical biology is the original and comprehensive term, but other names such as systems biology, integrative biology, and bioinformatics are also used, in particular to highlight special applications. Theoretical biology is inherently interdisciplinary and linked to many related fields, e.g., artificial life, complex adaptive systems, mathematical modelling, kybernetics, informatics, to name a few. [more ...]

Degrees and Teaching

We offer three degree courses, two for undergraduates and one for postgraduates

• Diplom in mathematics with emphasis on applied mathematics, in particular stochastic processes and models of partial differential equations for biological systems
• Diplom in biology with major in theoretical biology (combined with an experimental subject such as cell biology, microbiology, botany, and zoology)
• PhD in science (Dr. rer. nat.) with major in theoretical biology

Besides basic instruction on mathematics for students of biology (in cooperation with the Institute of Applied Mathematics), we are offering a hands on course with computers on statistics and a Simulation Studio for students during their first years. Teaching in graduate years is centered on seminars on various subjects of theoretical biology (e.g. on pattern formation and morphogenesis, game theory and evolution, polymer dynamics, swarm dynamics and many particle systems) and practical courses (Block-Praktika) on cellular motion, model aided statistical data analysis, models in microbiology, and ecological models.

Regularly, a biomathematical colloquium is held with invited speakers, on current topics of theoretical biology, biophysics and bioinformatics. [more ...]

Our first year course on statistics with computers is part of the project Studienreform 2000+ at Bonn University, trying to improve the quality and efficiency of curricula. Students of this course can find details at the corresponding page.

Research

Our reseach interests focus on modelling, simulation and data analysis of interactive spatial dynamics in biological phenomena of motion, growth, and evolution.

In particular, we employ stochastic many particle models, continuous systems of partial differential equations, adaptive methods of two-dimensional image analysis, and statistical analysis in order to study the following subject areas:

• Cellular motion: the dynamics of molecular motors (e.g. kinesin), of cytoplasmic polymer networks (e.g. actin filaments), cell adhesion and migration, and cell shape dynamics, as well as movement in cell clusters (e.g. monolayers of keratinocytes)
• Search strategies and swarm dynamics: perception, motoric control and development of search strategies in chemotaxis (e.g. of brown algae gametes) or homing (e.g. of desert arthropods finding back to their burrow) as well as the interactive dynamics in cell swarms (e.g. of myxobacteria) or bird swarms.
• Biological surfaces and biofilms: The dynamics of the lipid surfactant layer on vertebrate lung alveoles, driven by elastic, friction, and random forces.
  Individual-based modelling of microbial growth in colonies, biofilms, eggs, etc. Structure <-> Function relations, influence of the extracellular matrix, modular organisation, cooperation and competition.
• Evolutionary dynamics: The theoretical basis of the split of a population into reproductively isolated subgroups and the eventual formation of new species (speciation), in particular the influence of extended and heterogeneous habitats for that process.
  Economic use of resources as altruistic behaviour in biofilms.

[more ...]

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