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Caisse, Nichole

Mathematics

2008

MS

Smooth muscle is made up of highly organized cells arranged in sheets lining the walls of hollow organs and vessels. They are mechanistically distinct from skeletal and cardiac muscle cells with respect to contractile processes. Despite using most of the same motor proteins as the striated skeletal and cardiac muscles, the organization of the non-striated smooth muscle contractile structure (sarcomeres) has not been resolved. I am interested in determining what alterations need to be made in both mechanistic and kinetic models describing skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction to make them accurately applicable to the unique properties associated with smooth muscle. Of particular interest is how the mechanics of airway smooth muscle, (ASM) play an integral role in the pathophysiology of the respiratory system. Once precise mechanics of airway smooth muscle are understood we will have the ability to model its function in a more accurate way. Establishing a robust model for smooth muscle function will provide the framework for predicting for example, functional defects that lead to disease. Also, mathematical models can be used to guide the development of improved treatments for respiratory diseases such as asthma. In this thesis I explore various ideas of how to implement properties of airway smooth muscle into models of skeletal and cardiac muscle. I utilize both the known mechanics and kinetics of airway smooth muscle contraction to suggest a way in which a model for cardiac muscle contraction could be adapted to model smooth muscle contraction. Finally I suggest ways in which this model may effectively assist in further understanding asthma.