Mathematical modelling is increasingly being applied to provide new ways of reducing the use of animals in research and testing. To further facilitate this, together with the EPSRC-funded POEMS Network* we are providing access to mathematicians through a Maths Study Group.

The Study Group

We are organising a Study Group-style workshop to connect mathematicians and biologists with the aim of solving medical/healthcare problems or questions which if addressed could help to replace or reduce the use of animals.

Problems will be presented to participants on the first day; with the rest of the Study Group spent brainstorming ideas and beginning to develop novel mathematical/statistical/computational models for each of the problems.

Problems

The following biological problems have been selected for the workshop.

• Improving the utility of Drosophila melanogaster for neurodegenerative disease research by modelling courtship behaviour patterns
  Birgit Bruggemeier; University of Oxford
• Modelling afferent nerve responses to bladder filling
  David Grundy, Richard Clayton, Donna Daly; University of Sheffield
• Mathematical modelling to reduce animal use in neurodevelopmental safety assessment in humans
  Richard Currie; Syngenta
• Modelling the regulation of immunoglobulin class switching to IgE and IgG in human B cells to reduce animal use
  David Fear, Hannah Gould; Kings College London
• Understanding patterns of retinal haemorrhage
  Richard Bonshek; Manchester Eye Hospital

Full problem descriptions can be downloaded above.

Workshop registration

Registration is open to mathematical modellers, mathematicians, statisticians, computational biologists and bioinformaticians who are keen to apply their expertise in solving these problems. We welcome registrations from researchers at all career stages, from PhD students to Principal Investigators.

Study Groups are not appropriate for general audiences interested in the application of maths to biological problems.

It is free to attend the Study Group, but registration is essential. Registration includes accommodation and all meals during the Study Group. Travel to attend the Study Group is not included in the registration and must be covered by the delegate.

Places at the Study Group are limited and will be allocated on a first-come basis.

To register, please download and complete the registration form and return to events@nc3rs.org.uk.  

Key dates

Further queries should be directed, in the first instance to Anthony Holmes at the NC3Rs anthony.holmes@nc3rs.org.uk.

* Predictive mOdelling for hEalthcare through MathS (POEMS) is an EPSRC funded network, which aims to stimulate new mathematical modeling approaches for applications in medicine and healthcare. Its remit ranges from multiscale models of cells, tissues, and organs, through to models of individual patients and their trajectory through healthcare.