Tal Danino
Graduate Student
B.S. , Physics, University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. , Mathematics (Pure), University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. , Chemistry (Physical), University of California, Los Angeles
M.S. , Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego
Email: tdanino AT ucsd.edu
Phone: 858.822.3859
Biography/Research Profile:
Research Area 1
In E. coli cells that
have a synthetic oscillatory network, cells quickly lose synchrony with their
progeny within 2-3 cell divisions. I am interested in experimental construction
of a intracellular 'quorum sensing' circuit that will enable cells to communicate
their phases and allow them to synchronize in an oscillatory fashion. Theoretical
work has previously shown a design in which cells could synchronize via the
luxRI system from Vibrio Fischeri. Molecular cloning techniques , microfluidics,
and modelling are used to study the dynamics of synchronization for a population
of cells.
Research Area 2
As cells migrate and differentiate, they arrange themselves in spatial patterns
that provide specific mechanical and chemical environments. Currently, I am
trying to model the way these cells pattern in three dimensions using a reaction-diffusion
model. The model is based on the influence of two molecules on cell movement-
a morphogen and an inhibitor. The competing non-linear interactions between
morphogen, inhibitor , and cells align cells in interesting stripe and spot
patterns that resemble patterns observed in two-dimensional tissue culture
of vascular mesenchymal cells. My focus is to understand what three-dimensional
patterns form for various initial conditions and how well these patterns correlate
with three-dimensional tissue-engineering experiments.
Website:
http://tal.ucsd.edu/
