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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Morphoelasticity: The Mathematics and Mechanics of Biological Growth

Objective

This proposal concerns the mathematical study of growth, structure, and function in physiological and biological systems. The aim is to provide a rigorous mathematical framework for the study of different growth processes in biological systems and to model specific biological systems. The research is divided into interconnected themes with perspectives in pure mechanics, applied mathematics, and theoretical biology. At the foundational level, the development of a mathematical theory for biological growth is particularly difficult, as it must describe nonlinear biological materials evolving in time, and operating in large deformations. My goal is to study the foundations of the theory, which requires the generality of differential geometry, exact elasticity, and nonlinear thermodynamics. At the methodology level, I will develop mathematical tools to explore the consequences of growth processes in many systems, such as the dynamics of growth; the nonlinear stability analysis of growing systems with application to morphogenesis and pattern formation; and the study of reduced theories for rods and shells. The goal here is to gain insight into the fundamental coupling between growth, geometry, and stress in many biological systems. The driving force behind a theory of growth is the analysis and modelling of specific systems in collaboration with life scientists. Various applications in biology and physiology will be considered such bacterial and fungal systems, stems and leaves, solid tumours, arteries, brain morphology, and blood vessels. I have established such collaborations and I will expand their scope while at Oxford. Another goal of this work is to help bridge the gap between scientists from different communities such as plant biologists, biomedical engineers, and bio-physicists. Applied mathematics has a unique opportunity to offer a unified theory of biological growth and I intend to play a leading role in establishing this new field of study.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG
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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG)

Coordinator

THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
EU contribution
€ 100 000,00
Address
WELLINGTON SQUARE UNIVERSITY OFFICES
OX1 2JD Oxford
United Kingdom

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Region
South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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