MaPSS: Mathematical Postgraduate Seminar Series: Bernard Ikhimwin -- Computational modelling of the lymphatic vascular system

Dear All, 

We are delighted to present the MaPSS Seminar topic of today; please see the abstract
below.  

**From this Semester the Seminar will always run on Monday, at 5:00pm in 535A** 

Following the talk, there will be pizza on offer.  

Speaker: Bernard Ikhimwin (Sydney University) 

Title: Computational modelling of the lymphatic vascular system 

Abstract: The lymphatic vascular system consists of networks of numerous vessels which
play a key role in immune surveillance by transporting lymph (a colourless liquid that
contains white blood cells that helps to purge undesirable materials and toxins from the
body) and protein from the tissue space back to the circulatory system.  In contrast to
the cardiovascular system which has a central pump, the lymphatic vascular system has no
central pump hence the transport of fluid against gravity is driven by extrinsic and
intrinsic pumping mechanisms.  Disorder of the lymphatic vascular system results in a
fluid build-up in the tissues which leads to lymphoedema (swelling of the limbs due to
build-up of fluid) and unfortunately there is no known cure for lymphoedema which is
partly due to inadequate knowledge of the lymphatic vascular system and its transport
mechanisms.  In my talk I will look at lumped parameter models that are used to describe
the transport mechanism of lymphatic vessels.  I will also explore some of the
parameters of these models to see how they affect the flow-rate.  

Supervisors, please encourage your students to attend.  

Thanks,
MaPSS Organizers