Speaker: Jae Kyong Kim, KAIST/University of Michigan

Title: Mathematical models to analyze dynamic data from molecule to behavior

Abstract: In this talk, I will illustrate how we have used various types of mathematical models such as ODE and PDE to analyze dynamic data from molecules to behavior. Circadian (~24 h) timekeeping is essential for the lives of many organisms. Interestingly, ~24h rhythms of clock molecule level persist against environmental temperature change and noise of molecule diffusion inside the cell, which have been a mystery for last 60 years. Here, I will describe how we identified underlying molecular mechanisms for such robust rhythms by applying the combination of mathematical modeling and experiments to spatio-temporal dynamic data of the circadian clock. Finally, I will also talk about how we used a mathematical model to analyze daily sleep patterns of shift-workers obtained with a wearable device, which leads to a current ongoing project with Samsung Inc: the development of an app providing personalized optimal sleep schedule.