Expedited Award for Novel Research: The Nematode as a ModelComplex System-Exploratory Studies

一个基本的工程问题是“复杂”系统的组织。 这种系统需要协调的互动和沟通， 许多组件，可能涉及高度并发和分布式 计算和控制。 这些系统通常必须与 适应多变的环境。 然而，目前， 甚至没有合适的语言来讨论组织 这样的系统，更不用说一个适当的理论或数学 框架. 要制定这样一个框架，建议侧重于一个“简单”的 生物有机体，线虫C.elegans，作为一个小，但 基本上是独立的模型宇宙 PI打算将 实验数据和理论构建成一组协调的 并发的部分模型，具有不同程度的相互影响。 这些模式在类型、组织水平、 抽象和分辨率。 从长远来看，他们应该 结合不同的发展阶段，结构，功能， 和生物体的行为。 然而，最初的重点将是 神经系统在行为控制中的作用 的 方法将包括三个相互作用的组成部分：计算机 建模和仿真，数学和理论发展，以及 实验室实验

A basic engineering issue is the organization of "complex" systems. Such systems require the coordinated interaction and communication of many components, and may involve highly concurrent and distributed computation and control. These systems must generally interact with and adapt to a changeable environment. At the present time, however, there is not even a suitable language to discuss the organization of such systems, let alone a proper theoretical or mathematical framework. To develop such a framework, it is proposed to focus on a "simple" biological organism, the nematode worm C.elegans, as a small but essentially self-contained model universe. PI's intend to incorporate experimental data and theoretical constructs into a coordinated set of concurrent partial models, with varying degrees of mutual influence. These models may differ as to type, level of organization, degree of abstraction, and level of resolution. Over the long term, they should incorporate the various stages of development, structure, function, and behavior of the organism. Initially, however, the focus will be on the function of the nervous system in the control of behavior. The approach will comprise three interacting components: computer modelling and simulation, mathematics and theory development, and laboratory experimentation.