Computational modelling of physiological systems

计算机建模用于各种科学应用，从流体流动到物种相互作用，再到疾病和其他生物医学应用。 目前的研究涉及生理系统的建模，目的是更好地了解潜在的生物过程。 这种研究涉及计算机科学、数学和生理学领域的技术和知识。 这项研究的两个重点领域是：（i）具有生物现实节点（神经元）的神经网络建模;以及（ii）血管和无血管系统中的凝血酶生成。 近年来，对神经网络建模的兴趣一直在稳步增长，这是由于它们对模式识别和学习的适用性，以及它们可以提供对大脑模式存储和检索能力的洞察。 一个生物动机的模型，由发现存在于真实的大脑网络中的小网络构建块组成，对于允许与实验数据进行比较以及允许预测可能在生理上观察到的模式类型是重要的。 在这种情况下，这种模型可能会提供一个关键的洞察机制的生物记忆。 凝血酶是血液凝固过程中循环中产生的关键酶，也存在于无血管系统（即，那些缺乏直接血液供应的人），如神经系统和卵泡液（卵泡内的液体）。 通过模拟这个系统，我们试图研究凝血酶在无血管系统中的作用，这是目前还没有完全理解。 这项研究的应用包括凝血酶对生育力的影响，这在体外受精治疗中很重要，使用小的抗凝药物，以及功能失调的卵泡，这反过来又与乳制品行业有关。 进行许多实验以充分阐明潜在机制的困难强调了上述生理建模的重要性。 经过验证的模型提供了一个强大的预测工具，可用于制定假设并建议进一步的实验，最终增加知识水平。

Computer modelling is used in a wide variety of scientific applications, from fluid flow, to species interactions, to diseases and other biomedical applications.  The present research involves modelling of physiological systems with the goal of obtaining a better understanding of the underlying biological processes.  Such research involves techniques and knowledge from the fields of computer science, mathematics, and physiology.  Two particular areas of focus for this research are: (i) neural network modelling with biologically realistic nodes (neurons); and (ii) thrombin generation in vascular and avascular systems.  Interest in the modelling of neural networks has been steadily increasing in recent years, due to both their applicability to pattern recognition and learning, and to the insight they can provide into the pattern storage and retrieval capabilities of the brain.  A biologically motivated model, consisting of small network building blocks found to be present in real brain networks, is important to allow comparison to experimental data as well as to allow prediction of the types of patterns that might be observed physiologically.  In this case, such models may provide a key insight into the mechanisms of biological memory.  Thrombin is the critical enzyme generated in the circulation during blood coagulation, and is also present in avascular systems (ie. those that lack a direct blood supply), such as the nervous system and ovarian follicular fluid (the fluid contained within an ovarian follicle).  By modelling this system we attempt to examine the roles of thrombin in avascular systems, which are not currently fully understood.  Applications of this research include the effects of thrombin on fertility, which is important in in vitro fertilization therapy, the use of small anticoagulant drugs, and in dysfunctional follicles, which in turn is pertinent to the dairy industry.  The importance of physiological modelling such as that presented above is underscored by the difficulty in performing many of the experiments needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms.  A validated model provides a powerful predictive tool that can be used to formulate hypotheses and suggest further experiments, ultimately adding to the level of knowledge.