Modeling of the pathway of multiciliated cells' differentiation

• Κύριος συγγραφέας: Γκάντζου, Βασιλική
• Άλλοι συγγραφείς: Gkatzou, Vasiliki
• Γλώσσα: English
• Έκδοση: 2022
• Θέματα: Multiciliogenesis; Κροσσωτά κύτταρα

Multiciliogenesis constitutes an important biological process in which progenitor cells differentiate into multiciliated cells (MCCs). These cells are located in various biological systems, performing important biological functions such as: ensuring the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in CNS (Central Nervous System), removing extraneous pollutants from the respiratory tract, transporting gametic cells during fertilization and many others. The aim of this diploma thesis is to study multiciliogenesis at the level of protein interactions. We examine whether our designed mathematical model is capable enough of describing the behavior of the proteins we have chosen as key factors of this biological phenomenon. More specifically, our mathematical model consists of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), each one expresses the rate of change in the concentration of one of the regulatory proteins: Geminin, Lynkeas, McIdas. For the parameter estimation of the model, we use experimental data and a calculated estimator as a comparison measurement. The results of the simulations we run, show that the designed for Geminin equation verifies with great precision qualitatively and quantitatively its behavior, as it is presented on the experimental data. On the other hand, the designed system of Lynkeas/McIdas equations, while qualitatively seems to follow the behavior seen in the experimental data, failed to quantitatively describe the experimental data. In this work, we decide to examine the simplest form of this mathematical model, where in the system of Lynkeas/McIdas equations, we integrate the negative effect of McIdas to Lynkeas in the simplest form. More complex forms of equations may describe more precisely the behavior of these proteins in the biological phenomenon under study.