Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Ionic composition and volume of the body fluid compartments, like plasma are essential for maintaining the integrity of several vital biological parameters like blood pressure. The physiological function that controls the apparent stability of the ionic composition and osmolality of the fluid compartments is known under hydromineral homeostasis. This specific function groups together multiple and complex regulatory systems that constantly adjust the body hydromineral balance via renal excretion, as well as fluid and electrolyte ingestion. However, the study and thus, the understanding, of the dynamics and interactions of the complex systems underlying the hydromineral homeostasis would be difficult to perform experimentally. The long-term objective of the present research program is aimed at creating a computational model of the hydromineral homeostasis that would increase our knowledge on the brain and peripheral systems involved in controlling the hydromineral balance). Creating such a computational model is conditional to the creation of the most simple but realistic model and add modules to increase the model complexity. In line with this principle, the short-term objectives of the program will create a mathematical model of the brain network controlling the secretion of the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin. Creation of such a model will first require sampling of experimental data on both the neurons that secrete vasopressin, as well as on the neurons forming the network that controls the secretion of vasopressin. These experimental data will then be transferred into mathematical models of the neurons and their connectivity to create a coherent modeling framework capable of quantitative predictions on vasopressin secretion. The research program is innovative in education because it will train high-qualified personnel in neurobiology and in computational neurosciences. It will insure progress of knowledge in the physiology of the hydromineral homeostasis and it will potentially find applications in the programming of robot dummies for general medical training, or medical training in operating room.