Visualization of a Stochastic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Model

• Activity Number: 58
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Sunday, August 1, 2010 : 4:00 PM to 5:50 PM
• Sponsor: WNAR
• Author(s): Angie Zhu*+ and Janis L. Abkowitz and Peter Guttorp
• Companies: University of Washington and University of Washington and University of Washington/Norwegian Computing Center
• Keywords: visualization ; stochastic two-compartment model ; hidden Markov model ; hematopoiesis ; stem cell

Abstract

Hematopoiesis is the formation, development and specialization of the various blood cells from the hematopoietic stem cells (HSC). Each HSC can replicate, die, or differentiate into progenitor cells. Whereas the behavior of progenitor cells both in vivo and in vitro has been studied extensively, the behavior of HSCs is hardly known since the exact structure and interrelationships of HSC compartment are unclear and cannot be recreated in vitro. We develop a visualization tool for a two-compartment hidden Markov process used to model the kinetics of hematopoietic stem cells in vivo. This simulator visualizes the stochastic model over time, helps researchers gain intuitive understanding, and offers the opportunities for explorations of virtual experiments. It will be extremely useful for both basic research and preclinical indications.