Dynamics of Layering in Biological Systems

许多重要的生物系统是分层的。例子包括微生物生物膜、上皮组织、发育中的胚胎、潮间带种群和温带森林。理论生物学面临的一个挑战是为这些复杂的系统开发模型。该项目提出了一个三管齐下的方法来应对这一挑战。首先，使用复杂的三维计算机模型来模拟分层系统的动力学。第二，数学探针推导，以帮助理解和预测系统的不同部分的动态。第三，使用“无方程”建模技术，从复杂模型的行为中推断宏观变量的动态。这些替代方法将通过将其应用于海洋贻贝床的种群动态进行测试。为了将这些结果扩展为一般理论，研究人员计划举办两次关于分层生物系统动力学的研讨会。来自微生物生物学，发育生物学，细胞生物学和生态系统科学等不同领域的专家将仔细研究不同分层生物系统之间的相似性和差异，目标是通过开发复杂生物系统的模型来推进理论生物学，其中分层通过自组织的动态发展。这个项目产生的新理论将有助于我们理解微生物污染、伤口愈合和森林火灾蔓延等多种现象。该项目的调查人员在洛杉矶的加州州立大学和加州理工学院之间建立了非常成功的伙伴关系，以增加进入工程和科学职业的少数民族人数。作为这种伙伴关系的延续，以及当前项目的更广泛影响，三名研究生和一名博士后，可能来自代表性不足的群体，将接受应用数学生物学的跨学科培训。这些学生还将参加由加州州立大学-加州理工学院合作设计和实施的新的跨学科环境科学硕士课程。

Many important biological systems are layered. Examples include microbial biofilms, epithelial tissues, developing embryos, intertidal populations, and temperate forests. A challenge for theoretical biology is to develop models for these complex systems. This project proposes a three-pronged approach to meet this challenge. First, complex three-dimensional computer models are used to simulate the dynamics of a layered system. Second, mathematical probes are derived to help understand and predict dynamics in different portions of the system. Third, an 'equation-free' modeling technique is used that infers the dynamics of macroscopic variables from the behavior of complex models. These alternative approaches will be tested by applying them to the population dynamics of marine mussel beds. To broaden these results into a general theory, the investigators plan two symposia on the dynamics of layered biological systems. Experts from diverse fields such as microbial biology, developmental biology, cell biology and ecosystem science will scrutinize similarities and differences among disparate layered, biological systems with the goal of advancing theoretical biology by developing models for complex biological systems in which layering evolves through the dynamics of self organization. New theory resulting from this project will aid in our understanding of phenomena as diverse as microbial fouling, the healing of wounds, and the propagation of forest fires. The project's investigators have established a highly successful partnership between California State University at Los Angeles and California Institute of Technology to increase the numbers of minorities entering careers in engineering and science. As a continuation of this partnership, and a broader impact of the current project, three graduate students and a postdoctoral associate, likely from underrepresented groups, will receive interdisciplinary training in applied mathematical biology. These students will also participate in a new interdisciplinary environmental science Masters Program designed and implemented by the Cal State - Caltech partnership.