Unravelling the complexity of blood clotting and thrombosis using mathematical techniques

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• Dr Joanne Dunster, University of Reading
• Monday 12 October 2015, 14:00-15:00
• Mechanical Engineerng G36.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact David Smith.

The formation of blood clots and thrombus are driven by the interplay of plasma coagulation factors (the coagulation cascade) and platelets.

We present an asymptotic analysis of a model of the coagulation cascade. The cascade, while well characterised, is complex and nonlinear making it difficult to predict outputs. Using matched asymptotic expansions we derive a sequence of simplified models in time that characterise the key reactions within the cascade. This allows us to derive analytical expressions for the key parameters of time-lag and peak thrombin concentration being used by experimentalists to describe thrombin’s evolution in time.

We then present two studies that aid understanding of both patient and experimental data. Individual coagulation factors are recognised as risk factors for Myocardial Infarction (MI): they interact through the coagulation cascade to link a patient’s coagulation profile to their haemostatic response. We demonstrate how these unique patient profiles can be used to discriminate subjects who have suffered a premature MI from a healthy cohort. Platelets activate to form a key component of blood clots. Their ability to activate is controlled by subcellular signalling pathways. We present models that capture some of these early subcellular events. Our approach reveals the central importance of this negative feedback pathway that results in the temporal regulation of a specific class of protein tyrosine phosphatases in controlling the rate, and therefore extent, of GPVI -stimulated platelet activation.

This talk is part of the Applied Mathematics Seminar Series series.

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• Applied Mathematics Seminar Series
• Mechanical Engineerng G36
• School of Mathematics Events

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