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Subject: SMB Digest v13i26
SMB Digest June 27, 2013 Volume 13 Issue 26
ISSN 1086-6566
Editor: Richard Schugart richard(dot)schugart(at)gmail(dot)com
Note:
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Access the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, the official journal of
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Issue's Topics:
Updated Program Solicitation for the Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative
New Journal Announcement: In Silico and Tissue Science
PhD Position: Quantifying the Role of the..., PHC/UC London
PhD Positions: Mathematical Biology, U Trento, Italy
Post-doc: Dynamics of Invasive Species, U Trento, Italy
SMBnet Reminders
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From: Tie Luo <tluo@NSF.GOV>
Date: June 26, 2013 2:53:38 PM
Subject: Updated Program Solicitation for the Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative
An updated NSF program solicitation NSF 13-570 is now available:
Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the
Biological and Mathematical Sciences (DMS/NIGMS)
Please see
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5300
for details.
Full Proposal Deadline Date: September 23, 2013
Program Synopsis:
The Division of Mathematical Sciences in the Directorate for
Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the National Science Foundation
and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National
Institutes of Health plan to support research in mathematics and
statistics on questions in the biological and biomedical sciences. Both
agencies recognize the need and urgency for promoting research at the
interface between the mathematical sciences and the life sciences. This
competition is designed to encourage new collaborations, as well as to
support existing ones.
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From: Fred Vermolen <F.J.Vermolen@tudelft.nl>
Date: June 21, 2013 8:47:59 AM
Subject: New Journal Announcement: In Silico and Tissue Science
New Springer Open Access Journal 'In Silico Cell and Tissue Science'
A new journal 'In Silico Cell and Tissue Science' is accepting
submissions.
The goal of this journal is to promote basic and applied in silico
research at both cellular and tissue level that integrates the
expanding knowledge in the fields of biology and engineering and their
interplay. Approaches are predominantly silico based, but can also
involve experimental contributions assessing the foundations of cellular
and tissue phenomena. Contributions on the nano, micro, and/or
macrolevels are welcome. In particular, contributions are appreciated
that:
-quantify the physical, biological and chemical environment in which
cells and tissues behave and function in healthy conditions and
pathological conditions,
-describe and quantify cellular and tissue responses under different
environmental conditions and stimulations either from mechanical,
chemical or other biophysical origins,
-determine and scrutinize relations between chemical, physical,
mechanical and biological processes such as cell growth, division,
differentiation, death, migration and tissue growth, remodeling, repair
or decay.
Especially encouraged are analytical and computational models based on
physico-biological principles such as solid--viscous mechanics, fluid
mechanics, poro-elasticity or cell biology, and their interactions as
well as topics on new mathematical methods that facilitate analysis of
biological systems in both cell, colony and tissue scales.
For more information, see http://www.in-silico-cell-and-tissue-science.com/
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From: Sarah Deeny <Sarah.Deeny@phe.gov.uk>
Date: June 24, 2013 10:45:08 AM
Subject: PhD Position: Quantifying the Role of the..., PHC/UC London
We invite applications for a funded PhD studentship based at Public
Health England (PHE) with registration at UCL, "Quantifying the role of
the "revolving door syndrome" to the transmission of methicillin
resistant Staphylococcus aureus in care homes"
Based at: Modelling and Economic Unit, Public Health England, Colindale
London, NW9 5EQ
Supervisors: Sarah Deeny (Public Health England), Mark Wilcox
(University of Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust & Public Health
England), Carolyne Horner (Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust & Public
Health England) and Susan Hopkins (University College London & Public
Health England)
Registration at: University College London
Background and Objectives
Care homes, caring for elderly residents are considered to be an
important link in the transmission of antibiotic resistant bacterial
infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
which can cause serious infections. Due to age and frailty, the
residents of a care home are more likely to be admitted to hospital, and
may become colonised with MRSA without showing any symptoms. They can
then transmit MRSA to other residents in the care home. This process may
occur repeatedly and is known as the "revolving door syndrome". This
project provides an exciting opportunity for a student to analyse data
collected during a controlled intervention study implemented in 65 care
homes in the Leeds area between November 2006 and February 2009 (1,2).
This will inform and parameterise a mathematical model of MRSA
transmission in a care home and hospital which the student will
construct during their PhD. Using the model the student will then
simulate the "revolving door syndrome" and examine its impact on MRSA
incidence and control.
Person specification
This project is jointly supervised by researchers and clinicians in
Public Health England, UCL, Leeds Teaching Hospital and University of
Leeds and would be ideal for a student (UK and EU applicants) with a
first or upper second class honours degree and preferably an MSc or
MPhil with a significant computational component (including but not
limited to Computational Biology, Epidemiology or Statistics). The
student should have a keen interest in pursuing research to inform
policy in infectious disease transmission and control. Please note that
this studentship is available for UK/EU applicants only.
Dependent on the academic background of the student, we will provide
informal or if deemed necessary formal additional training in
microbiology, epidemiology or infectious disease modelling as
appropriate. Therefore, the ideal candidate would have a large appetite
for learning new skills, techniques and be able and willing to exploit
opportunities for innovation and creativity as they arise.
The successful candidate will also have to fulfil University College
London postgraduate registration and entry requirements:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application/research/general-entry-requirements
In addition to developing the successful candidate's existing
quantitative skills in mathematical modelling and data analysis; this
project provides an exiting opportunity to develop a foundation in
epidemiology and infection control supported by a multi-disciplinary
supervisory team. This studentship will allow a highly motivated student
to produce clinically relevant research that will inform our
understanding of the spread and control of MRSA outside the hospital
setting.
Location and PhD registration:
The student will be based in the Modelling and Economics Unit (PHE,
Colindale). However the successful candidate will be expected to work
closely with collaborators and co-supervisors in Leeds through regular
teleconferences and some time spent working on site in Leeds. You will
be registered with the University College London and participate in the
post-graduate training programme as required.
Application:
Closing date for applications: 31st July 2013
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter by email. In your
covering letter please state why you think you are suited to the
research project, tell us about your background and quantitative skills
and study and finally why you are interested in the studentship and
research subject. For further information please contact Sarah Deeny
(sarah.deeny@phe.gov.uk).
References
1. Horner, C, M Wilcox, B Barr et al. BMJ Open 2012; e000423:
doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000423.
2. Horner, C, P Parnell, D Hall et al. 2013 J Hosp Infect 2013;
83:212-218
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From: Andrea Pugliese <pugliese@science.unitn.it>
Date: June 27, 2013 2:24:31 AM
Subject: PhD Positions: Mathematical Biology, U Trento, Italy
PhD studentships in mathematical biology, University of Trento, Italy
We invite applications for PhD studentships at the Department of
Mathematics, University of Trento, Italy. There are 10 studentships, of
which 5 for specific research topics, 4 of which involve mathematical
biology. These are
- 1 funded by a grant from the Province of Trento reserved for the topic
"Dynamical models for invasive alien species".
- 1 funded by The Microsoft Research ? University of Trento Centre for
Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI) reserved for the topic:
"Integration of language-based stochastic modeling and equation-based
deterministic modeling for biological systems";
- 1 funded by The Microsoft Research ? University of Trento Centre for
Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI) reserved for the topic:
"Statistical methods for high-throughput data analysis applied to
biological systems for functional sub-network identification";
- 1 funded by Foundation Bruno Kessler (FBK) reserved for the topic:
"Computational epidemiology".
The successful candidates will work in collaborative, interdisciplinary
teams, involving mathematicians, biologists and computer scientists.
Deadline for application is September 18, 2013, and the starting date of
the studentship will be November 1. All details and instructions for
submitting the applications are at
http://www.unitn.it/en/ateneo/3063/announcement-selection
More general information on the Ph.D. school can be obtained at
http://www.unitn.it/en/drmath
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From: Andrea Pugliese <pugliese@science.unitn.it>
Date: June 21, 2013 4:44:08 PM
Subject: Post-doc: Dynamics of Invasive Species, U Trento, Italy
Post-doc position: Modelling the spatio-temporal dynamics of invasive
species, University of Trento, Italy
Applications are sought for a 2-year post-doc position for research on
"Modelling the spatio-temporal dynamics of invasive species" at the
Department of Mathematics at the University of Trento under the guidance
of Professor Andrea Pugliese.
This fellowship is part of a research project funded by the local
government with the aim of improving our knowledge of the biology of
invasive insect species of economic or sanitary interest (/Aedes
albopyctus/and /koreicus/ and /Drosophila suzukii/), and more generally
of establish a virtual laboratory in ecology, epidemiology, risk
assessment and mathematical modelling. The successful candidate will
collaborate in an interdisciplinary team including biologists performing
field and laboratory work, computer scientists, and economists.
Modelling activities will range between simple conceptual models to
detailed models keeping track of climatic input and detailed spatial
structure of the habitat.
Applicants should hold (or should obtain within the next few months) a
Ph.D. in mathematics, physics, engineering or biological sciences with
thesis on mathematical modelling. Experience in mathematical modelling
(preferably related to ecology or epidemiology) is essential, as well as
some capabilities in programming.
Details about the application can be seen at
http://www.unitn.it/en/ateneo/bando/30301/department-of-mathematics-call-for-the-selections-for-the-awarding-of-no-1-research-fellowship-decre
From the site, it is possible to download the application form that has
to be filled and reach the Department (by fax or mail) by *July 24 at
12:00*.
The position can start on October 1, at the earliest, or in the
following few months. Yearly salary will be Euro 24.450,00.
The application should include a curriculum vitae including a list of
publications, a statement of research interests, and the names and
contact details of two referees.
It is advisable to send a copy of the application by e-mail to
pugliese@science.unitn.it.
Informal enquiries about the position can be also sent to
pugliese@science.unitn.it.
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Subject: SMBnet Reminders
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