'In Silico' Simulation of Biological Processes

Over recent decades vast amounts of biological data have beenaccumulated. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult toapply traditional theoretical methods to the formulation ofcoherent pictures of cell and organ function because it is nolonger possible for a human theorist to integrate all of theavailable information. Instead, computer technologies must now beused to perform this integration. This book brings togethercontributions from many different fields to summarize the currentstatus of computer-assisted modelling of biological processes. The initial chapters deal with fundamental developments inhardware, software and mathematics that underlie current approachesto biological modelling. Next, different approaches to collatingdata on gene structure and function are presented. These databasesform a vital resource for any investigator trying to construct anintegrated picture of particular biological systems. Cell signalling systems form a particularly complicated aspectof all cellular function and are important both in theunderstanding of basic cellular processes and in selecting targetsfor drugs. Recent approaches to integrating data on cell signallinginto computer models are covered. Further chapters build on theseapproaches to show how computerized models of intact cells can bedeveloped. Finally, approaches to the computer modelling of wholeorgans such as the heart are presented. The role of computermodelling in drug design is the subject of the final chapter and isalso touched on throughout the discussions.