Description
Book SynopsisAn integrated guide to cellular biophysics and nonlinear dynamics, introducing students to the mathematical modeling of excitable cells. It combines empirical physiology and mathematical theory to present key interdisciplinary tools, highlighting how quantitative approaches can complement and advance bench research.
Trade Review'In this text, Conradi Smith does an excellent job of teaching students with no mathematical training beyond calculus how to use differential equations to understand the basic principles of cell physiology and excitability. He skilfully walks students through the steps of modeling and analysis, all the while working to develop intuition and insight into how things work. His emphasis on computational methods for solution as well as graphical and geometrical means for interpretation enables him to communicate complex ideas in understandable ways. Furthermore, his patience and attention to detail will be appreciated by those students who have not had extensive exposure to the art of mathematical modeling. This text is a wonderful addition to the mathematical biology textbook literature.' James P. Keener, University of Utah
Table of Contents1. Introduction; Part I. Models and Odes: 2. Compartmental modeling; 3. Phase diagrams; 4. Ligands, receptors and rate laws; 5. Function families and characteristic times; 6. Bifurcation diagrams of scalar ODEs; Part II. Passive Membranes: 7. The Nernst equilibrium potential; 8. The current balance equation; 9. GHK theory of membrane permeation; Part III. Voltage-Gated Currents: 10. Voltage-gated ionic currents; 11. Regenerative ionic currents and bistability; 12. Voltage-clamp recording; 13. Hodgkin-Huxley model of the action potential; Part IV. Excitability and Phase Planes: 14. The Morris-Lecar model; 15. Phase plane analysis; 16. Linear stability analysis; Part V. Oscillations and Bursting: 17. Type II excitability and oscillations; 18. Type I excitability and oscillations; 19. The low-threshold calcium spike; 20. Synaptic currents.
