Oscillations and waves in single- and multi-cellular systems with free calcium

Calcium ions are an important second messenger in living cells. Indeed calcium signals in the form of waves have been the subject of much recent experimental interest. A fundamental approach for studying cellular signalling is the combination of state-of-the-art experimental techniques, in particular high-resolution fluorescence imaging, with spatio-temporal mathematical models of intracellular calcium regulation. Experimental findings can be incorporated into mathematical models and, vice versa, model predictions can be directly tested in experiments. This approach provides a powerful tool to clarify the very complex mechanisms involved in cellular Ca2+ signalling. The aim of this thesis is to provide insight into oscillations and waves of cytosolic Ca2+ in both single- and multi-cellular systems from a mathematical perspective. [Continues.]