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--- 2018:groups:g5:start [2017/12/11 19:15] – ferreira
+++ 2018:groups:g5:start [2024/01/09 18:45] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 **Group 5**
 ====== Table manners and epidemics in a microscopic environment ======
-Wiki site of the practical exercise of the [[http://www.ictp-saifr.org/?page_id=13370|VI Southern-Summer School on Mathematical Biology]].
+Wiki site of the practical exercise of the [[http://www.ictp-saifr.org/mathbio7|VII Southern-Summer School on Mathematical Biology]].
 Here you will find the exercise assignment and the group's products.
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 ===== Introduction =====
-Zoochlorella are microscopic algae that form endosymbiotic relationships with several protists, including the //Paramecium bursaria//. As with most endosymbiotic relations of this kind, the //Paramecium// gains a (relatively) stable nutrient source, while the algae gain motility and protection. In particular, the //Paramecium// protects the zoochlorellae inside it from infection by chloroviruses, large DNA viruses that infect a range of green algae. Unable to penetrate the protist's membrane, the chloroviruses must resign themselves to adhering to the outer membrane and waiting for toe //Paramecium//'s rupture.
+//Zoochlorella// spp are microscopic algae that form endosymbiotic relationships with several protists, including the ciliate //Paramecium bursaria//. As with most endosymbiotic relations of this kind, the ciliate -which is not able to do photosynthesis- gains a (relatively) stable nutrient source, while the algae gain motility and protection. In particular, //Paramecium// protects Zoochlorellae cells inside it from infection by chloroviruses, large DNA viruses that infect a range of green algae. Unable to penetrate the protist's membrane, the chloroviruses must resign themselves to adhering to the outer membrane and waiting for the //Paramecium//'s rupture.
-A possible undertaker of this task is the ciliate //Didinium nasutum//, which predates on protists like the //P. bursaria//. As it feeds, it may attemp to envelop the entire //Paramecium// and, if that fails (if, for instance, the //Didinium// is too small), it ruptures the protist's membrane and consumes part of it in a process called messy feeding. This method releases the  zoochlorellae passengers into the water, where they are exposed to infection by chloroviruses. Thus, the prevalence of chlorovirus infection among zoochlorellae comes to depend on two other species sharing their own predator-prey interactions.
+A possible undertaker of this task is the ciliate //Didinium nasutum//, which predates on protists like //P. bursaria//. As it feeds, it may attemp to envelop the entire //Paramecium// and, if that fails (if, for instance, the //Didinium// is too small), it breaks the protist's membrane and consumes part of the prey in a process called messy feeding.
+{{https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/1-didinium-nasutum-ingesting-paramecium-eric-v-grave.jpg?450 }}
+This releases the  zoochlorellae endosymbionts into the water, where they are exposed to infection by chloroviruses. Thus, the prevalence of chlorovirus infection among zoochlorellae comes to depend on two other species sharing their own predator-prey interactions.
+////Didinium// (left) attempting to phagocyte a //Paramecium// (right). Image taken from [[https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/1-didinium-nasutum-ingesting-paramecium-eric-v-grave.jpg|here]].//
 ===== Assignment =====
-Develop and analyse an ODE model describing the interactions in this system. Add whatever components you see fit in order to capture the system's essential mechanisms.
+Develop and analyze a mathematical model to describe the coupled dynamics of the populations described above. Your model should take into account the interactions among the species in this system. Add whatever components you see fit in order to capture the system's essential mechanisms.
 ===== Questions & Suggestions =====
-* Are the dynamics different from a system where messy feeding releases spores rhather than hosts? (You don't have to create a new model for this second system; see Cáceres, Knight and Hall (2009) for a lead)
+  * Are the dynamics different from a system where messy feeding releases spores rather than hosts? (You don't have to create a new model for this second system; see Cáceres, Knight and Hall (2009) for a lead)
+  * How are the dynamics affected if the predator is a specialist instead of a generalist?
-* What happens if the predator is a specialist?
 ===== References =====
-* DeLong J. P., Al-Ammedi Z., Lyon S., Van Etten J. L. and Dunigan D. D. Size-dependent catalysis of //Chlorovirus// population growth by a messy feeding predator. //Microbial Ecology//, November 2017.
+  * DeLong J. P., Al-Ammedi Z., Lyon S., Van Etten J. L. and Dunigan D. D. Size-dependent catalysis of //Chlorovirus// population growth by a messy feeding predator. //Microbial Ecology//, November 2017.
+  * Cáceres C. E., Knight C. J. and Hall S. R. Predator-spreaders: predation can enhance parasite success in a planktonic host-parasite system. //Ecology//, 2009.
-* Cáceres C. E., Knight C. J. and Hall S. R. Predator-spreaders: predation can enhance parasite success in a planktonic host-parasite system. //Ecology//, 2009.