User:Johnsy/Lipoprotein Modelling
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Modelling Lipoprotein Metabolism
BEng Final Year Individual Project 2007/2008
John Sy
Supervisor: Mauricio Barahona, PhD
Aims
- Understand the mechanism by which cholesterol is produced in cells (cholesterol biosynthesis) beginning from Acetyl-CoA and which enzymes limit the rate at which cholesterol and its derivatives are produced.
- Understand the pathways for maintaining cholesterol homeostasis in the human body and various diseased states resulting in a level of blood cholesterol away from homeostasis.
- Develop an understanding of how lipoproteins are transported into and out of the cells in the human body, especially hepatocytes.
- Reserach and understand current models of lipoprotein metabolism.
- Adapt and develop the current models of lipoprotein metabolism to more reflect the biochemistry of the process.
- Understand the importance of lipoproteins, especially LDL, to the generation of atherosclerosis.
- Understand the mechanism by which statins affect HMG-CoA reductase and develop a mathematical model to account for its actions.
- Test the model with various physiological parameters in an attempt to better understand the effects of diseases such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)
