Graduation Semester and Year

2014

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics

Department

Mathematics

First Advisor

Jianzhong Su

Abstract

Implant failure due to fibrotic encapsulation is an ongoing challenge in the bio-medical field. We develop two mathematical models based on partial differential equations in two spatial dimensions, and use them to gain quantitative insights regarding the dynamics of immune cells and proteins following the insertion of a foreign body. We focus heavily on incorporating a distinction between varied phenotypes of macrophage cells and analyzing their effects on healing processes. We extend our research to a new model that incorporates mesenchymal stem cells that influence the chemical reactions of immune regulators. Stability analysis is conducted on a family of equilibria that correspond to "healed states." Additionally, isolated analysis of key components is presented to allow a more comprehensive understanding of the roles that stem cell presence plays on macrophage population trends. For the purposes of temporal dynamic testing, as well as investigations into the model for which mathematical analysis was cumbersome, computational tools such as MatLab and Comsol were implemented. Model simulations are compared against experimental data as validation to each mathematical model's efficacy.

Disciplines

Mathematics | Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

Included in

Mathematics Commons

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