Alpha-amylase Synthesis

Title: Modeling the Cell Biology of the Heat Shock Response of Barley Aleurone Cells

Student: Rachael Heineman

Advisors: Dr. Mark Brodl and Dr. Hoa Nguyen

Abstract: When heat shocked, plant cells distribute their energy to make a very different set of proteins than when at normal temperatures. When barley is heat shocked, the cells' production of α-amylase and other secretory proteins is largely reduced and a set of heat shock proteins that repair damaged proteins is produced. The purpose of this project is to create and test a mathematical model to analyze what elements have influenced α-amylase production. Our current model and simulations are able to capture the impact of different temperature regimes and levels of fluidity on α-amylase synthesis and are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental data.

Student Final Presentation: FinalSeniorPres.pdf
Student Final Report: senior_paper.pdf