Qualitative modelling of the response of cytoskeletal actin filaments in endothelial cells subjected to shear stress.

An approach to modelling cytoskeletal function based on qualitative process theory and qualitative algebra is presented. A computer environment for qualitative modelling and simulation of physical systems, specifically oriented to the construction of biomedical knowledge bases, is used. The system that is being set up for the cytoskeleton is intended to serve as a tool for testing assumptions about cytoskeletal function, for the evaluation of experimental data and for planning experimental work. The aspects of cytoskeletal function that have been modelled so far are focal adhesion and the reorganisation of the vascular endothelial cell cytoskeleton in response to fluid-imposed shear stress. Starting from a natural language description, the subsequent levels of analysis leading to the formal structural description and the resulting implementation for these aspects within the development environment are presented.