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Main Speakers/Courses


Main Speakers
  • Carmen Molina- Paris (Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds, UK)
Minicourse "Stochastic birth and death processes in immunology"
Abstract:  TBA
  • David Harel (Dept. of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel)

Minicourse "On the Full Organism Challenge: Or, Can we Computerize an Elephant?"
Abstract: We show how techniques from computer science and software engineering can be applied beneficially to research in the life sciences. I will discuss the idea of comprehensive and realistic modeling of biological systems, where we try to understand and analyze an entire system in detail, utilizing in the modeling effort all that is known about it. I will address the motivation for such modeling and the philosophy underlying the techniques for carrying it out, as well as the crucial question of when such models are to be deemed valid, or complete. The examples will be from among the biological modeling efforts my group has been involved in: T cell development, lymph node behavior, organogenesis of the pancreas, rat whisking, cancer tumor formation, and various projects regarding the C. elegans  nematode. The ultimate long-term “grand challenge” is to produce an interactive, dynamic, computerized model of an entire multi-cellular organism, such as the C. elegans, which is extremely complex despite its small size, but well-defined in terms of anatomy and genetics. The sweeping potential benefits of such a model will be discussed.

  • Ruy M. Ribeiro (cv)
Minicourse "Modeling viral dynamics: from ODEs to ABMs"
Abstract: In this short course we will introduce the concept and basics of agent based models (ABM), following examples drawn from viral dynamics and epidemiology. The emphasis will be on practical issues of agent-based models in relation to biological processes: why and when to use ABM, how to think about agents, events and rules. We will also discuss implementation issues and validation / calibration of these models. Some existing software to code agent-based models will be mentioned, but not explored in detail. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas for systems they would like to model to discuss during the tutorial.