Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
MC 5158
Keegan Keplinger, Applied Mathematics, University of Waterloo
Modeling the switching dynamics of Aplysia bag cell neurons
The bag cell neuron clusters of the sea slug Aplysia act as a master switch, instigating a chain of downstream peptide signaling relevant to organismal reproduction. Given a sufficient stimulus, a single bag cell neuron transitions from an excitatory cell to an oscillatory cell through a series of second-messenger mechanisms. The details of such second messengers remain unclear, but major players, such as calcium, calmodulin, protein kinase A, and protein kinase C have been indicated in the transition from excitatory dynamics to oscillatory spiking. Through collaboration with experimentalists, the objective of this research project is to build a single bag cell neuron model, complete with second-messenger dynamics, and couple it to a network of similarly constructed neurons to reproduce the dynamical switching behavior of the bag cell neuron clusters.
Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.