Description :  In the postgenomic era, the next challenge to bioinformatics is the simulation of the cell as a whole. The cell is the smallest living thing, but at the same time it is a highly complex biochemical machine, with many varieties of (macro)molecules evolving in a compartmental structure under elaborate control paths that have been well-established during millions of years. Previous work in cell modeling and simulation has been performed using continuous mathematics (especially differential equations) and addressing mainly local processes. On the one hand, such an approach is computationally difficult; therefore, it cannot be scaled-up at the level of the whole cell. On the other hand a huge amount of information of a discrete type has been accumulated in recent years. This accumulation suggests the consideration of new tools in this area, and discrete algorithmic mathematics seems to offer such tools. Specifically, this project uses aspects of the emerging field of membrane computing as a framework for modeling and simulating the cell. The research project dovetails with research performed by other research groups from the University, particularly in biology.

---

Principal Investigator:  Paun, Andrei  --  Computer Science

---

Collaborators:  

---

Funding Agencies:  Board of Regents

---

Amount Awarded:  $120,800

---

Start Period:  06/01/2004

End Period:  06/30/2007