A Fractal Computer Model of Macromolecule-Cell Surface Interactions

Abstract

Macromolecules involved in binding to cell surface receptors are important in many biological systems. The cross-linking and clustering of receptors that an antigen can cause is a vital event in the activation of the B- lymphocyte cell and the subsequent initiation of the immune response. This project set out to create a computer model of the interactions between a large molecule with several binding sites, and receptors on the cell surface. In order to have some correlation with a real system, a multivalent antigen and a B-cell were used for physical parameters. The model was designed to provide insight into the behavior of the system, and information on the configurations of bound macromolecules. Analysis of the results from the computer model took two forms, interpretations of the visual output, and numerical analysis of the bound receptor clusters. Fractal geometry was used to characterize the shapes of the cross-linked cell receptors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 13, 1991
Accession Number
ADA245394

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey S. Dodge

Organizations

  • United States Naval Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • B Lymphocytes
  • Blood
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Immune System
  • Lymphocytes
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Random Walk
  • T Lymphocytes
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional
  • United States Naval Academy

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Immunology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry