General Monte Carlo Computer Simulation of Subcellular Biochemical Signaling

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9603611 Sejnowski MCell is a general purpose software tool that allows users to accurately simulate a wide variety of the signaling processes carried out by living cells. Many cells secrete signal molecules that are detected by receptor molecules on the surfaces of other cells. Since this involves diffusion of the signal molecule over a distance between the cells, it is necessary to take into account the shapes of the cells and the locations of the molecules to accurately predict the speed and strength of signaling. MCell is unique in its generality and in the way it simulates cellular signaling using random numbers and probabilities, a so-called "Monte Carlo" method. MCell has already been used to simulate synapses, which are specialized microscopic structures where communication takes place between nerve cells, called neurons. It can also be used for more general cellular signaling between and within cells, not just neurons, so it will be useful to a wide range of scientists who are interested in problems such as how cells divide and how this process may be subverted in the case of cancer. MCell will be tested initially by a group of scientists who want to use it to answer questions that arise in their research into signaling between neurons. This will help in making the program easier to use and more flexible in its application to an even wider range of biological and chemical problems. Two educational workshops will be held to teach scientists how to use MCell and to exchange ideas and results obtained with MCell.