Issues in Model Emulation/Evaluation in Dynamic Network Studies in Systems Biology

• Activity Number: 384
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Computing
• Author(s): Mike West*+
• Companies: Duke University
• Keywords: Bayesian analysis ; Computer model emulation ; Dynamic cellular networks ; Flow cytometry data ; Gene networks ; Systems biology

Abstract

Much interest (and hype) exists in the area of dynamic cellular network modelling in systems biology. To date, advances have been hindered by the lack of ability to generate rich time course data, and in many cases any useful data at all on more than a very small number of network nodes (genes, proteins). This will change in the coming decade with advances in biotechnology. What is currently accessible is data on marginal distributions of a few nodes at "snapshots" in time - e.g., steady-states under experimental growth conditions - in small cellular systems. This provides opportunities for formal statistical model evaluation, including computer model emulation approaches to link mechanistic mathematical models of network dynamics to snapshot data. Statistical issues and examples will be discussed.