Investigating Biological Systems Using Modeling: Strategies and Software

Investigating Biological Systems Using Modeling describes how to apply software to analyze and interpret data from biological systems. It is written for students and investigators in lay person's terms, and will be a useful reference book and textbook on mathematical modeling in the design and interpretation of kinetic studies of biological systems. It describes the mathematical techniques of modeling and kinetic theory, and focuses on practical examples of analyzing data. The book also uses examples from the fields of physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, agriculture, pharmacology, and medicine.

Contains practical descriptions of how to analyze kinetic dataProvides examples of how to develop and use modelsDescribes several software packages including SAAM/CONSAMIncludes software with working models

Introduction:
What is Modeling?
The Steps in Building a Model.
The Difference Between Building a Model and Using a Model.
Why Model Biological Systems?
Modeling Software:
Review of Software.
WinSAAM.
Concepts and Tools of Modeling:
Building Models in Sections.
Techniques and Tools to Facilitate Model Development.
Strategies for Modeling Biological Systems:
Experimental Design and Data Collection.
Starting Modeling and Developing a Model.
Rejecting Hypotheses and Accepting a Model.
Model Summarization.
Multiple Studies Analysis.
Information in the Model.
Errors in Compartmental Modeling.
Testing Robustness: Sensitivity, Identifiability, and Stability.
Evaluating and Using Published Models:
Why Use a Published Model?
Reviewing and Summarizing Published Models.
The Model Translation Process.
Verification and Validation.
Using the Model.
A Library of Models.
Subject Index.
Appendices.