Dr. Natalie Kalev-Kronik

Natalie joined IMBM in March 2005 as a fellow of the Marie Curie research project MRTN-CT-204-503661 "Using mathematical and computer simulation to improve cancer therapy". She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Sciences from Tel Aviv University, on the subject of "Differentiation of the vascular system in conifers". She also holds a Ph.D. degree from the University of Minnesota, titled "Evolutionary games in space". It introduces spatial effects into game theory based evolutionarily stable strategies (ESS). The thesis was completed in the framework of the Conservation Biology graduate program at the University of Minnesota. In IMBM Natalie is involved in the malignant gliomas immunotherapy project as well as in the NEST Cancer Stem Cells project.

Scientific activity in 2007

  • Validation of the mathematical model developed for immunotherapy for malignant gliomas with the collaboration of Carol Kruse from the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, San Diego.
  • Mathematical analysis of the malignant gliomas model and simplifying the model.
  • A mathematical model for describing the progression of a brain tumor with respect to environmental signals.

Work Program for 2007

  • · In the EU–FP6 NEST Project, [Contract no.012930] “Developing a virtual and molecular control board for diverting cancer stem cell to non-malignance “ project I take part in the Neural Stem Cells part. I plan to construct two models employing recruitment hypothesis in cancer progression: One will be based upon population dynamics principles, and the other will be based on intra-cellular pathways. We will suggest experiments to validate predictions of each of the models with Switch Factors such as PDGF, Notch, BMP, and their antagonists to test their effect on stem cells.
  • I· Constructing models for combination therapies together with cellular immunotherapy, such as vaccination or biological therapies that will slow down the glioma progression.

Lectures/Conferences in 2006/2007

  • Kronik N., Kogan Y, Agur Z. 2006. "Mathematical model validates experimental results for immunotherapyof high-grade brain tumors" A poster presented at the Euroconference "Which mathematics for Biology?", 10-14 July 2006,Anogia, Greece.
  • Kronik N., Kogan Y., Agur Z. 2006. "Improving immunotherapy for high grade glioma: results of a mathematical model". An oral presented at the Marie Curie Summer School, 15-19 July 2006, Kolimbari, Greece. Kronik N., Fory? U., Kogan Y., Vainstein V., Agur Z. "Mathematical model predicts an effective immunotherapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme". An oral presentation at the Banach center/ CIME course and workshop: "From a microscopic to macroscopic description of complex systems" 4-9 September, 2006, Bedlewo, Poland.
  • Kronik N, Kogan Y, Vainstein V, Agur Z. "Immunotherapy for high-grade brain tumors: validation of experimental results by a mathematical model", a poster presented at the 18th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" 7 - 10 November, 2006, Prague, Czeck Republic.
  • "Effective immunotherapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme predicted by a mathematical model" given at the, School of Computer & Communication Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique F?d?rale de Lausanne 14 November, 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland. (Invited lecture).
  • "Improving immunotherapy for malignant gliomas: results of a mathematical model" given at the, Centre for Mathematical Biology, Oxford University, 7 December, 2006, Oxford, UK. (Invited lecture).
  • EU–FP6 NEST Project, (Contract no.012930) :”Developing a virtual and molecular control board for diverting cancer stem cell to non-malignance” - Consortium Meeting. Lecture on: "Selecting switch factors connected with known mutations in brain tumors with clinical implications". 20 December, 2006, Manchester, UK.

Publications

  1. Kronik N, Kogan Y, Vainstein V, Agur Z. "Immunotherapy for high-grade brain tumors: validation of experimental results by a mathematical model", a poster presented at the 18th EORTC-NCI-AACR Symposium on "Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics" 2006; 7 - 10 November, Prague, Czech Republic.
  2. Kronik N., Kogan Y, Agur Z. 2006. "Mathematical model validates experimental results for immunotherapyof high-grade brain tumors" A poster presented at the Euroconference "Which mathematics for Biology?", 10-14 July 2006,Anogia, Greece.
  3. Kronik N, Kogan Y, Vainstein V, Agur Z. Improving alloeactive CTL immunotherapy for malignant gliomas using a simulation model of their interactive dynamics. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2008 Mar;57(3):425-439. Epub 2007 Sep 7.
  4. Kalev, N., Aloni, R., 1998. Role of auxin and gibberellin in regenerative differentiation of tracheids in Pinus pinea L. seedlings. New Phytologist 138: 461-468
  5. Kalev, N., Aloni, R., 1999. Role of ethylene and auxin in regenerative differentiation and orientation of tracheids in Pinus pinea L. seedlings. New Phytologist, 142: 307-313
  6. Aloni, R., Feigenbaum, P., Kalev, N., and Rozovsky, S. 2000. Hormonal control of vascular differentiation in plants: the physiological basis of cambium ontogeny and xylem evolution In: Cell and Molecular Biology of Wood Formation, Eds. R. Savidge, J. Barnett and R. Napier., BIOS Scientific Publishers, Oxford, pp 223–236.

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