PCAN -- Modeling and Analysis of Biological Systems Using Stochastic Hybrid Systems

这个项目？的目标是开发正式的模型，用于分析生物学中出现的广泛的一类随机系统，从分子/细胞水平上发生的生物过程的动力学到生态系统中生物体的相互作用种群。该项目具有强大的社会影响力，因为对基因调控背后原理的正式理解可以降低制药行业目前药物发现所需的实验工作的高昂成本。此外，在生态学的背景下，动态人口模型提供了正式的工具，有效地管理环境resources.Intellectual优点：提出的研究将作出重大贡献的随机系统的建模和分析。具体而言，将讨论以下基本问题：1。基于近似矩闭合技术的随机种群动力学建模框架的开发.基于时间尺度分离的复杂基因调控网络简化理论的发展。3.开发正式工具，以检测随机生物系统中的振荡，并了解其对系统参数的依赖性。更广泛的影响：拟议的活动将有一个强大的教育部分，旨在激励本科生攻读工程科学的高级学位。这将通过以下举措实现：1.增加UCSB现有本科课程的研究内容.扩大我们的本科生暑期实习计划，使我们的实验室目前UCSB本科生和少数民族学生从当地社区学院。

This project?s goal is to develop formal models for the analysis of a wide class of stochastic systems that arises in biology ranging from the dynamics of biological processes that occur at the molecular/cellular level to the interacting populations of organisms within an ecosystem. This project has a high potential for strong societal impact, as a formal understanding of the principles behind gene regulation can lower the high costs involved into the experimental effort that is currently needed in drug discovery by the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, in an ecology context, dynamic population models provide formal tools for the efficient management of environmental resources.Intellectual merit:The research proposed will make significant contributions to the modeling and analysis of stochastic systems. In particular, the following fundamental issues will be addressed:1. Development of a modeling framework for stochastic population dynamics based on approximate moment closure techniques.2. Development of a theory to simplify complex gene regulatory networks based on time-scales separation. 3. Development of formal tools to detect oscillations in stochastic biological systems and to understand their dependence on system parameters.Broader impacts:The proposed activities will have a strong educational component aimed at motivating undergraduate students to pursue advanced degrees in the engineering sciences. This will be achieved through the following initiatives:1. Increasing the research content of current UCSB undergraduate courses.2. Expanding our undergraduate Summer Internships program that brings to our laboratory current UCSB undergraduate students and minority students from local community colleges.