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Computer
Science
John H. Miller
Simulation of Biological Systems
Dr.
John H. Miller and his collaborators are developing computer
simulations as a way to model biological systems at the
molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. The high throughput
data-collection methods of genomics and proteomics are
revealing the extensive parts list of biological organisms
and the vast number of connections between these parts.
Computer simulations integrate biological, chemical,
and physical data based on a hypothesis for how the biological
system works. In this sense, they are a marriage between
traditional reductionism and the new “discovery” paradigm
of biology.
For
example, in simulations of radiation-induced bystander
effects, proteomics is needed to identify the messengers
released by cells that are traversed by particles of
the radiation field (i.e. hit cells). Physical properties
of the extracellular matrix determine the transport of
these proteins to neighboring cells (bystanders). Ligand-receptor
affinities determine the sensitivity of bystanders to
the signals being transmitted and genomics determines
their response to detected signals.
Current
simulations only scratch the surface of biological complexity;
nevertheless, they demonstrate the central role that
information technology can play in bringing genomics
and proteomics to bear on issues of health, environment,
and national security.
Contact
Information
John H. Miller, Ph.D.
Washington
State University–Tri Cities
2710 University Drive
Richland, WA 99352-1671
Telephone:
509-372-7232
Fax: 509-372-7100
E-mail: jhmiller@tricity.wsu.edu
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