Final Year Project

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) cascades carry signals from the outside of the cell to its nucleus. The signal is encoded in the oscillation of the states, in features such as frequency. One third of tumours harbour RAS mutations, and approximately half of Melanomas are driven by RAF mutations, both of which are in the MAPK cascade. 

My final year project uses nonlinear control to seek to restore proper oscillation to these signals, in the hope that restoring healthy signalling can help reverse the course of the disease. 

There are two main sections of my research: Showing that the oscillations can be controlled using Extremum Seeking Control, and navigating the limitations of Optogenetics by coupling sensing and actuation, using an Extended Kalman Filter as an observer and state estimator. 

I am currently working on a conference paper submission to publish this research.