ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Department of Mathematics
Sri Sairam Engineering College
Chennai – 44, Tamilnadu, India
Biography
Dr. K. Parvatham obtained her UG and PG degree in Mathematics from Bharathiyar University Coimbatore and Master of Philosophy in Mathematics from Annamalai University, Chidambaram.
Because of her penchant to Biology she did her postgraduate project in Mathematical Biology in the year 1988. This Mathematical Biology integration attracted much of her interest and it resulted in doing her Doctoral degree research in mathematical modeling of metabolic networks from the University of Madras. The research work was highly appreciated and research papers were published in leading research journals.
She started her teaching career in 1989 and has a vast experience of teaching mathematics over 25 years in polytechnic college, Arts and Science College and Engineering College. Currently she is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai.
Title of the Speech
“Mathematics of Biochemical Networks”
Abstract
The complexity of a biological network can be simplified by mathematical modeling. There are various mathematical tools that are widely used to model biological networks and to name a few are, Graph theory, Differential equations and Linear algebra. Systems biology is an interesting interdisciplinary area that connects Mathematics, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics and Computer Science. It is used to analyze and predict the functional capabilities of a biological system.
Systems Biology aims at bringing holistic approach for better understanding of Gene networks, Protein networks and Metabolic networks. Systems biology is focused on the study of metabolic networks using Linear algebra. The stoichiometric matrix translates a biological network into the language of mathematics. The mathematical properties of the stoichiometric matrix determine the functional states of the biochemical reaction network that it represents. Stoichiometric modeling is based on linear algebra and it does not require any reaction kinetics as it studies the time invariant state of a metabolic network. Mathematical modeling has a key role in the technological development of medical sciences. Systems biology is strongly believed to have a major stake in future drug development.