Abstract
dc:description.abstractMathematical modeling of biological systems has improved the knowledge of scientists for many years. In virology, particularly in the study of hepatitis B virus, mathematical models were used to explain interactions between hepatitis B virus and the human host in the absence and presence of interventions such as drug therapy and vaccines. This thesis seeks to explain the role of e-Antigen, a particle produced by hepatitis B virus, in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B infection. To accomplish this goal, I will provide biological background as well as previous modeling work on the role of e-Antigen in hepatitis B virus infection, before finally developing a new model adapted specifically for connecting hepatitis B progression with e-Antigen and drug therapy. I will analyze the model both analytically and numerically, fit it to virus data from humans chronically infected with hepatitis B that undergo drug therapy, and draw conclusions about the relation between drugs, immune activation, and loss of e-Antigen.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Master of Science
- Level thesis:degree_level
- masters
- Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
- Mathematics
- Department dc:contributor.department
- Mathematics
- Grantor dc:publisher
- Virginia Tech
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2015
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Saul, April Leigh
- Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
-
- Ciupe, Stanca M.
- Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
-
- Zietsman, Lizette
- Chung, Matthias
Subjects
dc:subject × 3Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- In Copyright
- Licence dc:rights.uri
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Dc Identifier Other
- vt_gsexam:5112
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/53957