Qualitative modelling and analysis of regulations in multi-cellular systems using Petri nets and topological collections

In this paper, we aim at modelling and analyzing the regulation processes in multi-cellular biological systems, in particular tissues. The modelling framework is based on interconnected logical regulatory networks a la Rene Thomas equipped with information about their spatial relationships. The semantics of such models is expressed through colored Petri nets to implement regulation rules, combined with topological collections to implement the spatial information. Some constraints are put on the the representation of spatial information in order to preserve the possibility of an enumerative and exhaustive state space exploration. This paper presents the modelling framework, its semantics, as well as a prototype implementation that allowed preliminary experimentation on some applications.Comment: In Proceedings MeCBIC 2010, arXiv:1011.005

Single-cell variability in multicellular organisms

While gene expression noise in single-celled organisms is well understood, it is less so in the context of tissues. Here the authors show that coupling between cells in tissues can increase or decrease cell-to-cell variability depending on the level of noise intrinsic to the regulatory networks

P systems, a new computational modelling tool for Systems Biology

Abstract. In this paper we present P systems as a reliable computational modelling tool for Systems Biology that takes into account the discrete character of the quantity of components of biological systems, the inherently randomness in biological phenomena and the key role played by membranes in the function of living cells. We will introduce two different strategies for the evolution of P systems, namely, Multicompartmental Gillespie’s Algorithm based on the well known Gillespie’s Algorithm but running on more than one compartment; and Deterministic Waiting Times Algorithm, an exact deterministic method. In order to illustrate these two strategies we have modelled two biological systems: the EGFR Signalling Cascade and the Quorum Sensing System in the bacterium Vibrio Fischeri. Our simulations results show that for the former system a deterministic approach is valid whereas for the latter a stochastic approach like Multi-compartmental Gillespie’s Algorithm is necessary.