Monday, November 3, 2008, Joint Physics Colloquium, 4:30 PM, 104 Thaw Hall, PITT

James Glazier

Professor & Director of Biocomplexity Institute, Indiana University

"Biocomplexity and the Computational Modeling of Biological Development"

Abstract:

Biology is full of complexity, from the dynamics of epidemics to the regulation of genes in gene networks.  I will talk about a less appreciated aspect of biological complexity, the complexity of embryonic development.  I will briefly outline the issues we face in building models of development and introduce a modeling approach we have created that allows simple creation of complex developmental simulations (http://www.compucell3d.org/).  Finally, I will discuss a number of examples of this style of model-building including the formation of the early stage body plan (segmentation), the development of blood vessels and tumors, and the life cycle of a simple slime mold (Dictyostelium discoideum), illustrating some of the questions about complexity this type of modeling can address (e.g., error correction mechanisms).