Science Week 2012 Opening Program and Keynote Lecture

Why Physicists should listen to Computer Scientists (and vice versa): modeling nanoparticle-cell interactions (a Biophysics problem) with stochastic process algebra (a ComSci approach)

by Prof. Eduardo R. Mendoza, Ph.D.
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Munich
& University of the Philippines
Jan. 30, 2012, 10:00am - 12:00nn
Little Theater, Rizal Hall

Overview

With the rapid use of nanoparticles in food processing, filtration/purification and consumer products (personal care and cosmetics, textiles and shoes, electronics, etc.) as well as the huge potential of their use in nanomedicine, quantitative understanding of the effects of nanoparticle uptake and transport is increasingly needed. For example, already in 2009, over 800 products, mostly produced in Asia and the USA, were claimed to contain nanosilver, whose risk potential for health and environment is subject of a heated debate [1]. The talk will discuss the importance of computational methods for a multidisciplinary approach to understand the complex phenomena related to bio-nanointeractions. These include recent developments in "nanoinformatics" - an emerging discipling analogous to "bioinformatics" - which strives to create repositories, standards about nanoparticles and related information [2] and the beginnings of a "Systems Nanomedicine" (extending the new field of "Nanomedicine Informatics") using systems biology approaches to these problems [3, 4]. Both computational areas offer opportunities for Filipinos to engage in collaborative, cutting edge research in this impactful field.

References

[1] Wijnhoven SWP et. al. Nano-silver - a review of available data and knowledge gaps in human and environmental risk assessment. Nanotoxicology, June 2009 3(2), 109-138.

[2] National Nanoinformatics Network. Nanoinformatics 2020 Roadmap (April 2011). Downloadable from http://nanotechinformatics.org/nanoinformatics/index.php/Main_Page

[3] Thoman DG et.al. Informatics and Standards for nanomedicine technology (June 2011), Wiley Online Library, Downloadable from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wnan.152/pdf

[4] Dobay MPD, Alberola AP, Mendoza ER, Rädler JO. Modeling nanoparticle uptake and intracellular distributions, 2011 (submitted to Journal of Nanoparticle Research)

Speaker Info

Ed Mendoza studied mathematics at Ateneo de Manila, Heidelberg University and Bonn University. He completed his PhD under G. Harder and F. Hirzebruch with a thesis on the "Cohomology of PGL₂ over imaginary quadratic integers". While an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Wuppertal University, his collaboration with communications engineers led to a strong interest in computer networks and a move to the IT industry in October 1980.

After spending 22 years in the software industry in various positions, his interest in the dynamics of complex systems and systems biology led to a move back to academe in October 2002. He has since co-authored over 25 ISI publications, is a co-editor of a recent book on "Systems Biology and Psychiatric Research" (Wiley-Blackwell 2010) and a Section Editor of an upcoming "Encyclopedia of Systems Biology" (Springer 2012).

He is an Adjunct Professor in Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Los Baños and Manila. He is currently a Visiting Scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich and can be contacted at mendoza@biochem.mpg.de.

 

 

 In celebration of the founding of the Department and the successful launching of the academic program, B.S. Applied Physics (Medical Physics) this academic year, the Department is once again celebrating the annual Science Week 2012 with the theme "Practically Physics" this coming Jan. 30 - Feb. 3, 2012.

The line-up of activities for the week are:

• Jan. 30 (Mon.)
  • 10:00am - 12:00pm - Opening 
  • 12:00pm - 5:00pm - Science Camp
• Jan. 31 (Tues)
  • 10:00am - 7:00pm - Digi-Pelikula sa Manila
• Feb. 1 (Wed)
  • 9:00am - 12:00pm - Symposium
  • 1:00pm - 4:00pm - Inter-block Qwizzardy
• Feb. 2 (Thur)
  • 9:00am - 12:00pm - Junior Qwizzardy
  • 1:00pm - 4:00pm - Qwizzardy
• Feb. 3 (Fri)
  • 1:00pm - 5:00pm - Awards Day