Visual Experiments of Geometric Combinatorics for Neural Stem Cells and Their Derivatives

摘要

Software is being developed to simulate and visualize plausible scenarios for neural stem cell differentiation. The primary emphasis is to create developmental models for hydrocephalus, where stem cells experience increased demands for multi-cellular differentiation. Images from light and electron microscopy examinations of mouse brain slices that expose the stem cell niche show significant geometric structure, known as 'pinwheels'. Each of these microscopy images is a static 'snapshot' in time. A creative emphasis is to generate novel and dynamic geometric representations of these static stem cells configurations, as they form through brain development. Innovative algorithms interpolate from one static state to the next and conjectured interpolatory processes can be coded based upon biological constraints. Animations are generated for each conjectured subdivision and differentiation. The animations are viewed by neurobiologists, who judge the plausibility of any conjectured scenario. The geometric combinatorics impose logical constraints, which have already been used to preclude some proposed biological mechanisms. The goal is to provide rapid iterations of visualizations of brain developmental to facilitate discovery. Initial results are reported as refinements continue.