Applied Math Seminar
Virtual-Tissue Computer Simulations of Development, Homeostasis and Disease
Speaker: James Glazier, Indiana University
Location: Warren Weaver Hall 1302
Date: Friday, March 3, 2023, 2:30 p.m.
Synopsis:
Modern molecular biology provides an extraordinary ability to quantify cells’ molecular states.
However, the difficulty of predicting the emergent behavior of tissues from cells’ molecular signatures
limits our ability to integrate molecular and genetic information to make meaningful predictions at the
organ or organism level. Virtual Tissues are an approach to constructing quantitative, predictive
mechanistic models starting from cell behaviors. For the past 15 years, we have been developing
the open-source Virtual-Tissue model specification and execution framework CompuCell3D
(www.compucell3d.org) which aims to make Virtual-Tissue modeling more accessible. Virtual Tissue
the open-source Virtual-Tissue model specification and execution framework CompuCell3D
(www.compucell3d.org) which aims to make Virtual-Tissue modeling more accessible. Virtual Tissue
models help bridge the gap between molecule and physiological outcome. I will illustrate these
approaches in: 1) Modeling in-host viral infection and immune response in epithelial tissues.
2) the development of blood vessels and its effect on age-related blindness,
3) the disorganization of normal tubular structure in Polycystic Kidney Disease, and
4) toxin-induced damage in the liver.
These examples illustrate both the potential and limitations of these approaches and suggest where
we still need to improve our scientific understanding and our ability to measure and control living systems.