Helen Byrne

Department of Computer Science and Mathematical Institute, Oxford University

Oxygen: A Careful Balancing Act

Oxygen is a vital nutrient for all cells. Consequently, ensuring that its supply and demand are balanced is crucial for maintaining normal functioning of biological tissues. For example, excessively high oxygen levels in the retina may drive the wave of photoreceptor cell death associated with the degenerative disease retinitis pigmentosa in the eye. Alternatively, insufficient oxygen levels may stall wound healing. In this talk I will present a series of case studies that illustrate how mathematical modelling can help to elucidate the multiple mechanisms by which abnormal oxygen levels can drive disease progression and pathology.