NIMBioS Seminar Series
In conjunction with the interdisciplinary activities of the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), a seminar series on topics in mathematical biology will be hosted at NIMBioS every other Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) in the NIMBioS Lecture Hall on the 4th floor of 1534 White Ave., Suite 400. Seminar speakers will focus on their research initiatives at the interface of mathematics and many areas of the life sciences. Light refreshments will be served beginning 30 minutes before each talk.
Time/Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 3:30 p.m.*
Location: Room 403, Blount Hall, 1534 White Ave., Suite 400
Speaker:
Dr. Maud Lélu, NIMBioS Postdoctoral Fellow
Topic:
Interactions between the transmission modes of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii
Abstract:
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite, responsible for the zoonosis toxoplasmosis. It is mainly transmitted through a complex life cycle, with its definitive hosts being Felids (mostly domestic cats Felis catus) and the intermediate hosts being potentially all warm-blooded animals. This parasite shows a high plasticity in its life cycle, with possibilities of transmission between cats and the environment only (simple life cycle) or directly between intermediate hosts through vertical transmission or carnivorism. Moreover, manipulation of the behavior of infected intermediate hosts such as rodents in order to facilitate transmission to cats has been reported. Thus the dynamics of T. gondii transmission may depend on the host dynamics and on the interaction of its several transmission modes. This talk will investigate the contributions and the interactions of different transmission strategies on T. gondii spread using epidemiological deterministic models.
*Join us for refreshments in the NIMBioS Lobby on the 4th floor at 3 p.m.
Seminar Flyer (pdf)
NIMBioS
1122 Volunteer Blvd., Suite 106
University of Tennessee
Knoxville,
TN 37996-3410
PH: (865) 974-9334
FAX: (865) 974-9461
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