| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/D001382/1 |
| Title: |
Understanding Complex Adaptive Networks in the Life Sciences: Combining Theory and Experiment |
| Principal Investigator: |
Johnson, Professor N |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Oxford Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Oxford |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2005 |
Ends: |
30 September 2006 |
Value (£): |
93,376
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Condensed Matter Physics |
Non-linear Systems Mathematics |
| Theoretical biology |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
|
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
Networks are all around us: the Internet, the railway, and even our circle of friends. Many biological systems also possess a complex underlying network. Of particular importance is the network which distributes nutrients (i.e. food) and therefore helps keep a particular organism 'alive'. In the case of a fungus, the same tubes that supply the nutrient comprise the structure. In the case of a cancer tumour, the nutrients are supplied through blood-vessels which the tumour itself manages to reconfigure by releasing chemicals. A spreading virus only 'lives' because it can pass through a network of suitable hosts and their contacts. Even in photosynthesis, the reaction centre in the LHI photosynthetic complex needs to be supplied with excitation energy from an absorbed photon. The resultant hopping exciton acts like a 'nutrient' which 'feeds' the reaction centre, at the end of its journey through the complex LHI/LHII network. The above systems will be the case-studies of this project. By studying these specific but diverse examples, this project aims to shed light on the following questions: What are the dynamical and functional properties of complex system networks arising in the Life Sciences? What is the interplay between their function and structure? To what extent do these dynamical and functional properties dictate the structure of the network itself?
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ox.ac.uk |