今天 Theory Lunch 的講者，來自 UC Irvine 的 Eric Mjolsness，講的主題是 multiscale mathemtical models。
我們的理論午餐向來都只用白版，Eric 可能沒有弄清楚，手上抱著一疊印好的 slides 一邊盯著一邊唸。想當然這給人的感覺就有點糟。Eric 主要講述他的 multiscale model；大意是說如何在 tissue -> cell -> molecule 這樣不同的 scale 上建立一個有效的 model。很明顯的一個例子就是果蠅胚胎的發育過程。果蠅胚胎發育區分體節的分子機制大致上已被研究得十分徹底，但是對生物學家來說，如何統合這些各別的分子機制成為一個穩定的系統仍是很大的挑戰。這個過程嚴格地被分子層次的 transcription factors 所調節，進而控制個別細胞再影響整個組織。
接下來就是一連串的 equations，我完全 lost 了，不過似乎並非單單只有我如此，一些做理論的人發問時也不斷提到 "I'm completely lost"，不意外又是一場失敗的 talk。
聽完也吃完之後回到 lab，Dan 先說他很喜歡這次的 talk，覺得學到很多。Sophie, Matrin, 還有我都以為他在開玩笑，Dan 必須再三強調他是說真的大家才真的相信他不是在說笑。真慘。
Building multiscale mathematical models of development in Arabidopsis and Drosophila
3 November 2006
Eric Mjolsness
Department of Information and Computer Science
UC Irvine
Abstract
I will discuss advances of various different kinds: experimental, mathematical, computational, and even mildly political, that promise to make it easier to build multiscale models of developmental processes and to greatly improve them. One example system is pattern formation in the early embryo of Drosophila melanogaster, which is especially dominated by transcriptional regulation. There are systematic approaches to building the required models of transcription complexes. A second example is provided by a model of the shoot apex of Arabidopsis thaliana. Rather than pattern formation by a Turing mechanism, what drives this system is (a) an intracellular reaction network (of course), along with essential roles for (b) intercellular signaling by spatially polarized transport of the plant hormone auxin, and (c) the mechanics of cell growth, cell division, and dynamic connectivity of cells. These experiences provide the motivation and technique for creating a new mathematical modeling language for biological development.
This is joint work with Tigran Bacarian, Marcus Heisler, Henrik Jönsson, Pawel Krupinski, Elliot Meyerowitz, Bruce Shapiro, and Guy Yosiphon.
References
The Computable Plant
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