Alex Tam

Alex Tam

Lecturer: Mathematical Sciences

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A list of all the posts and pages found on the site. For you robots out there is an XML version available for digesting as well.

Pages

Posts

ANZIAM 2024

less than 1 minute read

Published:

I was a member of the Organising Committee for the ANZIAM 2024 Conference in Hahndorf, and organised the 2024 Mathematical Biology Special Interest Group (MBSIG) Workshop. Please see the official website for more information!

portfolio

Wound Dynamics

Helping reduce infection and facilitate scarless wound healing.

Industrial Mathematics

Physical chemistry and surface science for new lubricants, and solving problems with 3rd-year UniSA students for local companies.

ASKE Yeast

Understanding yeasts of medical and biotechnological importance.

preprints

publications

Predicting channel bed topography in hydraulic falls

Published in Physics of Fluids, 2015

This paper uses experimental surface wave profiles to predict topographic disturbances, using a potential flow model and the KdV equation. Published in Phys. Fluids (2015).

Recommended citation: A. Tam, Z. Yu, R. M. Kelso, and B. J. Binder, "Predicting channel bed topography in hydraulic falls", Physics of Fluids, 27 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4935419

Nutrient-limited growth with non-linear cell diffusion as a mechanism for floral pattern formation in yeast biofilms

Published in Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2018

We propose a reaction–diffusion model for yeast biofilm growth, and show the model can explain a characteristic flower-like pattern. Published in J. Theor. Biol. (2018).

Recommended citation: A. Tam, J. E. F. Green, S. Balasuriya, E. L. Tek, J. M. Gardner, J. F. Sundstrom, V. Jiranek, and B. J. Binder, "Nutrient-limited growth with non-linear cell diffusion as a mechanism for floral pattern formation in yeast biofilms", Journal of Theoretical Biology 448 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2018.04.004

Diffusion-limited growth of microbial colonies

Published in Scientific Reports, 2018

We use agent-based and reaction—diffusion models to investigate the conditions in which cells undergo directed growth towards a nutrient source. This is an indicator of diffusion-limited growth. Published in Sci. Rep. (2018).

Recommended citation: H. Tronnolone, A. Tam, Z. Szenczi, J. E. F. Green, S. Balasuriya, E. L. Tek, J. M. Gardner, J. F. Sundstrom, V. Jiranek, S. G. Oliver, and B. J. Binder, "Diffusion-limited growth of microbial colonies", Scientific Reports 8 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-23649-z

A thin-film extensional flow model for biofilm expansion by sliding motility

Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 2019

We derive and solve a multi-phase, thin-film fluid model for a yeast biofilm, and show that it can explain experimental expansion speed and biofilm shape. Published in Proc. Royal Soc. A (2019).

Recommended citation: A. Tam, J. E. F. Green, S. Balasuriya, E. L. Tek, J. M. Gardner, J. F. Sundstrom, V. Jiranek, and B. J. Binder, "A thin-film extensional flow model for biofilm expansion by sliding motility", Proceedings of the Royal Society A 475 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2019.0175

Protein friction and filament bending facilitate contraction of disordered actomyosin networks

Published in Biophysical Journal, 2021

A computational study using Julia code, showing how F-actin bending and protein friction give rise to actomyosin contraction. Published in Biophys. J. (2021).

Recommended citation: A. K. Y. Tam, A. Mogilner, and D. B. Oelz, "Protein friction and filament bending facilitate contraction of disordered actomyosin networks", Biophysical Journal, 120 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.012

Thin-film lubrication model for biofilm expansion under strong adhesion

Published in Physical Review E, 2022

We derive and solve a mathematical model for biofilm growth in the lubrication regime, and compare results with extensional flow solutions. Published in Phys. Rev. E (2022).

Recommended citation: A. K. Y. Tam, B. Harding, J. E. F. Green, S. Balasuriya, B. J. Binder, "Thin-film lubrication model for biofilm expansion under strong adhesion", Physical Review E, 105, 014408 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.105.014408

The effect of geometry on survival and extinction in a moving-boundary problem motivated by the Fisher-KPP equation

Published in Physica D, 2022

We explore a moving-boundary problem where population survival and extinction are both possible, and find the conditions for survival in 2D geometry. Published in Physica D (2022).

Recommended citation: A. K. Y. Tam, and M. J. Simpson, "The effect of geometry on survival and extinction in a moving-boundary problem motivated by the Fisher-KPP equation", Physica D, 438 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2022.133305

F-actin bending facilitates net actomyosin contraction by inhibiting expansion with plus-end-located myosin motors

Published in Journal of Mathematical Biology, 2022

We derive, analyse, and solve a PDE model for two actin filaments, and show that filament bending enables net contraction. Published in J. Math. Biol. (2022).

Recommended citation: A. K. Y. Tam, A. Mogilner, and D. B. Oelz, "F-actin bending facilitates net actomyosin contraction by inhibiting expansion with plus-end-located myosin motors", Journal of Mathematical Biology, 85 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00285-022-01737-z

Pattern formation and front stability for a moving-boundary model of biological invasion and recession

Published in Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena, 2023

Advancing planar travelling waves of the Fisher-Stefan model are linearly stable. Receding waves are unstable, but short-wavelength perturbations are stabilised by surface tension. Published in Physica D (2023).

Recommended citation: A. K. Y. Tam, and M. J. Simpson, "Pattern formation and front stability for a moving-boundary model of biological invasion and recession", Physica D, 444 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2022.133593

Survival, extinction, and interface stability in a two-phase moving boundary model of biological invasion

Published in Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena, 2023

Extends previous results for reaction—diffusion moving-boundary problems to a model for two populations. Published in Physica D (2023).

Recommended citation: M. J. Simpson, N. Rahman, S. W. McCue, and A. K. Y. Tam, "Survival, extinction, and interface stability in a two-phase moving boundary model of biological invasion", Physica D, 456 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physd.2023.133912

talks

teaching

MATH 3021: Mathematics Clinic

Undergraduate course, The University of South Australia, 2023

Year-long group projects for third-year students with academic and industry support. Although primarily a teaching activity, Mathematics Clinic contributes to my research by helping solve new problems of relevance to our industry collaborators.

theses