Cand.Mag. University of Oslo, Norway
Ph.D. Princeton University, USA
Room B8267 office/B7239 lab
(604) 291-4808/5622
epalsson@sfu.ca
BISC 471
Pattern Formation and Self-Organization in Nature
Cand.Mag. University of Oslo, Norway
Ph.D. Princeton University, USA
Room B8267 office/B7239 lab
(604) 291-4808/5622
epalsson@sfu.ca
BISC 471
Pattern Formation and Self-Organization in Nature
Current Research Program
I work on mathematical models in molecular and cellular systems. I
also work on competition of organisms in ecological systems. My main
focus is on studying cell signaling and cell movements, and how these
processes combined with cell mobility and adhesion, lead to the
formation of a fully formed organism. I am also working on models
studying resource competition in marine systems, under limited
nutrients conditions.
There are two projects that are being studied in my group.
Cell movements in Multicellular Systems. We have designed a 3-D model
of cell movements in multicellular aggregates that allows us to
visualize the interactions and trajectories of all the cells. This
model allows us to study the effect that cell adhesion and cell-cell
signaling has on the movement and the sorting out of different
cell-types. The model system we have been focusing on is the cellular
slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum, and we have used the model to
study cell movement during both the aggregation and slug stage of its
lifecycle. Other potential projects are to use the model to study
wound healing, somitogenesis in Zebrafish and gastrulation.
Flow of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Carbon between various Phyla in marine
systems.
We have written a model that lets us study how the stoichiometry of
various organisms in the system, combined with the availability of
nutrients affects the loss and accumulation of organically available N
and P. This model has a number of species each grouped into 5 major
classes: Nitrogen fixing micro-organisms, Photosynthesizing plankton,
Zooplankton, Decomposers and Denitrifying micro-organisms. Each species
has an ideal stoichiometry which can be flexible. We would like to use
this model to study how a complete system evolved which could explain
the observed Redfield ratios (fixed ratio on N and P in the deep
oceans regardless of concentration). Smaller projects include studying
how stoichiometry affects competition in environments with varying
nutrients.
Publications
Palsson, Eirikur, Modeling Wave Propagation, Chemotaxis, Cell
Adhesion and Cell Sorting: Examples with Dictyostelium, Using a 3-D
Cell-Based Model In Modeling Biology, Structures, Behaviors,
Evolution, Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology (2007). pp. 165-194
MIT Press Cambridge, USA. Edited by Manfred D. Laubichler and Gerd
B. Muller
Palsson, Eirikur, A 3-D deformable ellipsoidal cell model,
with cell adhesion and signaling. In Single-Cell-Based Models in
Biology and Medicine (2007) pp 271-299 Birkhuser Basel Edited by
Alexander R.A. Anderson, Mark A.J. Chaplain and Katarzyna A. Rejniak
Palsson, Eirikur.
A three dimensional model of cell movement in
multicellular systems. (2001) Future Generation Computer Systems (Elsevier) vol.
17 pp 835-852.
Palsson, E. & Othmer, H.
A Model for Individual and Collective Cell Movement in Dictyostelium discoi
deum. PNAS (2000 vol. 97 pp 10448-10453)
Palsson, E. & Cox, E.C.
Selection for spiral waves in the social amoebae Dictyostelium.
(1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, Vol 94, pp 13719-13723
Palsson, E. & Cox, E.C.
On the origin of spiral waves in aggregating Dictyostelium.
(1997) in Dictyostelium - A Model System for Cell and Developmental Biology,<
/EM> ed Y.Maeda, K.Inouye and I.Takeuchi (Universal Acadamy press, Tokyo) pp.411-423
Palsson, Eirikur
The cAMP signaling system in Dictyostelium discoideum. Phd
Thesis 1996 Princeton
University
Palsson, E. & Cox, E.C.
Origin and evolution of circular waves and spirals in
Dictyostelium discoideum territories.
(1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci . USA Vol 93, pp.1151-1155