Modeling and analyzing the dynamics of chemical mixtures by means of differ- tial equations is one of the prime concerns of chemical engineering theorists. These equations often take the form of systems of nonlinear parabolic partial d- ferential equations, or reaction-diffusion equations, when there is diffusion of chemical substances involved. A good overview of this endeavor can be had by re- ing the two volumes by R. Aris (1975), who himself was one of the main contributors to the theory. Enthusiasm for the models developed has been shared by parts of the mathematical community, and these models have, in fact, provided motivation for some beautiful mathematical results. There are analogies between chemical reactors and certain biological systems. One such analogy is rather obvious: a single living organism is a dynamic structure built of molecules and ions, many of which react and diffuse. Other analogies are less obvious; for example, the electric potential of a membrane can diffuse like a chemical, and of course can interact with real chemical species (ions) which are transported through the membrane. These facts gave rise to Hodgkin's and Huxley's celebrated model for the propagation of nerve signals. On the level of populations, individuals interact and move about, and so it is not surprising that here, again, the simplest continuous space-time interaction-migration models have the same g- eral appearance as those for diffusing and reacting chemical systems.

In many biological models it is necessary to allow the rates of change of the variables to depend on the past history, rather than only the current values, of the variables. The models may require discrete lags, with the use of delay-differential equations, or distributed lags, with the use of integro-differential equations. In these lecture notes I discuss the reasons for including lags, especially distributed lags, in biological models. These reasons may be inherent in the system studied, or may be the result of simplifying assumptions made in the model used. I examine some of the techniques available for studying the solution of the equations. A large proportion of the material presented relates to a special method that can be applied to a particular class of distributed lags. This method uses an extended set of ordinary differential equations. I examine the local stability of equilibrium points, and the existence and frequency of periodic solutions. I discuss the qualitative effects of lags, and how these differ according to the choice of discrete or distributed lag. The models studied are drawn from the population dynamiCS of single species (logistic growth, the chemostat) and of interacting pairs of species (predation, mutualism), from cell population dynamiCS (haemopoiesis) and from biochemical kinetics (the Goodwin oscillator). The last chapter is devoted to a population model employing difference equations. All these models include non-linear terms.

Product Description: Covering the major topics of evolutionary game theory, Game-Theoretical Models in Biology presents both abstract and practical mathematical models of real biological situations. It discusses the static aspects of game theory in a mathematically rigorous way that is appealing to mathematicians...read more

Product Description: This textbook grew out of a course that the popular and highly respected applied mathematician Lee Segel taught at the Weizmann Institute and it represents his unique perspective. It introduces differential equations, biological applications, and simulations and emphasizes molecular events (biochemistry and enzyme kinetics), excitable systems (neural signals), and small protein and genetic circuits...read more

Product Description: Even though contemporary biology and mathematics are inextricably linked, high school biology and mathematics courses have traditionally been taught in isolation. But this is beginning to change. This volume presents papers related to the integration of biology and mathematics in high school classes...read more

Mathematical Models of Biological Systems provides a practical introduction to basic mathematical modelling methodology and analysis. It covers a variety of biological applications and uses these topics in turn to highlight key components in the art of modelling. Its primary aim is to give students the tools to translate simple, real-world biological problems into rigorous mathematical models. A secondary aim is to teach the reader how to critically assess the modelling components in the primary life science literature. The book covers deterministic as well as stochastic dynamics, continuous-time as well as discrete-time dynamics, partial differential equations, dimensional analysis, and curve fitting/parameter estimation. It contains numerous case studies, graded from elementary examples to more complicated problems, as well as a general treatment of good modelling practice. Although the book assumes a basic background in mathematics, specifically beginning calculus and elementary statistics, all requisite material is included in a series of appendices.

Product Description: Cellular Automata and Complex Systems: Methods for Modeling Biological Phenomena describes the use of cellular automata to provide important insights into a vast range of physical, biological, social, economic and psychological phenomena...read more

Product Description: The purpose of this book is to introduce Fourier descriptors as a method for measuring the shape of whole, or parts of, organisms. Fourier descriptors refers to the utilization of Fourier analysis, primarily the Fourier series as a curve fitting technique, that can numerically describe the shape of irregular structures such as are commonly found in living organisms...read more

Product Description: Each summer the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute Graduate Summer School gathers some of the best researchers and educators in a particular field to present lectures on a major area of mathematics. A unifying theme of the mathematical biology courses presented here is that the study of biology involves dynamical systems...read more

Product Description: Given that a college level life science student will take only one additional calculus course after learning its very basics, what material should such a course cover? This book answers that question. It is based on a very successful one-semester course taught at Harvard and aims to teach students in the life sciences understanding the use of differential equations...read more

Product Description: Abstract and conceptual models have become an indispensable tool for analyzing the flood of highly detailed empirical data generated in recent years by advanced techniques in the biosciences. Scientists are developing new modeling strategies for analyzing data, integrating results into the conceptual framework of theoretical biology, and formulating new hypotheses...read more

Product Description: In general, several mathematical models can be designed in order to describe a biological or medical process and there is no unique criterion which model gives the best description. This book presents several of these models and shows applications of them to different biological and medical problems...read more

Product Description: Volume I of this two-volume, interdisciplinary work is a unified presentation of a broad range of state-of-the-art topics in the rapidly growing field of mathematical modeling in the biological sciences. The chapters are thematically organized into the following main areas: cellular biophysics, regulatory networks, developmental biology, biomedical applications, data analysis and model validation...read more

Product Description: Thanks to recent advancements, optimization is now recognized as a crucial component in research and decision-making across a number of fields. Through optimization, scientists have made tremendous advances in cancer treatment planning, disease control, and drug development, as well as in sequencing DNA, and identifying protein structures...read more