Speaker
Description
This is an introductory talk, and does not assume that you have any previous knowledge about the theory of reaction networks.
We will introduce and discuss reaction networks and reaction systems, especially as they are used in Mathematical Biology.
We will also emphasize the history of the development of key results and ideas about reaction systems, starting with ideas from thermodynamics and the Boltzmann equation from the 19th century, and followed by steady progress which culminates in 1972 with three key achievements: the stability of vertex balanced systems by Horn and Jackson, the deficiency zero theorem of Horn and Feinberg, and the connection between deterministic and stochastic models by Thomas Kurtz.
Among the more recent developments we will mention results on existence and uniqueness of positive steady states, as well as persistence (i.e., non-extinction), and global stability (i.e., the existence of globally attracting states).
Many examples will illustrate these ideas and results.
