Tomlin Claire J, Axelrod Jeffrey D
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Nat Rev Genet. 2007 May;8(5):331-40. doi: 10.1038/nrg2098.
In recent years, mathematical modelling of developmental processes has earned new respect. Not only have mathematical models been used to validate hypotheses made from experimental data, but designing and testing these models has led to testable experimental predictions. There are now impressive cases in which mathematical models have provided fresh insight into biological systems, by suggesting, for example, how connections between local interactions among system components relate to their wider biological effects. By examining three developmental processes and corresponding mathematical models, this Review addresses the potential of mathematical modelling to help understand development.
近年来,发育过程的数学建模赢得了新的尊重。数学模型不仅被用于验证从实验数据得出的假设,而且设计和测试这些模型还带来了可检验的实验预测。现在有一些令人印象深刻的案例,数学模型通过例如揭示系统组件之间局部相互作用的联系如何与其更广泛的生物学效应相关,为生物系统提供了新的见解。通过研究三个发育过程及相应的数学模型,本综述探讨了数学建模在帮助理解发育方面的潜力。