IGMS: Dynamic Models in Synthetic Biology

合成生物学是一个新兴的领域，位于工程，科学和数学的接口。它关注新型生物系统的设计，构建和分析，最终目标是在健康，材料和能源方面实现有益的应用。合成生物学的一种方法是从理解基本组件和系统地增加复杂性开始，一步一步地，首先理解简单的网络，然后将这些知识整合到理解更复杂网络的功能中。这种方法的一个关键要素是开发数学模型，用于分析和预测基本组件的动态行为，以及了解组件在更复杂的系统中组合时如何相互作用。PI，威廉姆斯博士，加州大学圣地亚哥分校数学系教授，在数学分析和控制非生物应用（如制造、计算机科学和电信）中出现的复杂随机网络模型方面拥有丰富的经验。在IGMS资助下，PI将花一年时间访问UCSD生物工程系的系统生物动力学实验室。她的主人将是实验室的领导者，杰夫·哈斯蒂博士和列夫·齐姆林博士。在系统生物动力学实验室的物理基础将允许PI与那里的研究人员进行日常互动。在这方面，特别重要的是有机会与那些进行实验的人进行互动，以便数学模型和相关的分析可以通过实验结果得到信息，相反，实验的设计可以通过数学模型的分析得到信息。IGMS的资助将使PI获得新的知识和经验，以扩大她的研究在合成生物学的应用。特别是，它将使她能够参与合成生物学的跨学科研究，指导合成生物学的本科生和研究生，并指导数学博士。学生参与合成生物学应用项目。

Synthetic biology is an emerging field lying at the interface of engineering, science and mathematics. It is concerned with the design, construction and analysis of novel biological systems, with the ultimate goal of enabling beneficial applications in health, materials and energy. One approach to synthetic biology begins with understanding basic components and systematically increasing complexity, one step at a time, first understanding simpler networks before integrating that knowledge into understanding the functioning of more complex ones. A key element of this approach is the development of mathematical models that can be used in analysing and predicting the dynamic behavior of fundamental components, as well as in understanding how components interact when combined in a more complex system.The PI, Dr. Ruth Williams, a Professor in the Mathematics Department at the University of California, San Diego, has extensive experience with mathematical analysis and control of complex stochastic network models arising in non-biological applications such as manufacturing, computer science and telecommunications. Under the IGMS grant, the PI will spend a year visiting the Systems Biodynamics Lab in the Bioengineering Department at UCSD. Her hosts will be the leaders of the lab, Drs. Jeff Hasty and Lev Tsimring. Being physically based in the Systems Biodynamics Lab will allow the PI to interact on a day-to-day basis with researchers there. Especially important in this regard will be the opportunity to interact with those performing experiments, so that mathematical models and associated analyses can be informed by the results of experiments and conversely the design of experiments can be informed by the analysis of mathematical models. The IGMS grant will enable the PI to acquire the new knowledge and experience to expand her research to applications in synthetic biology. In particular, it will enable her to participate in interdisciplinary research in synthetic biology, to mentor undergraduate and graduate students in synthetic biology, and to direct mathematics Ph.D. students on projects with applications in synthetic biology.