Jan Hasenauer: "Modeling and parameter estimation for structured population models"

Jan Hasenauer
Helmholtz Zentrum München

Modeling and parameter estimation for structured population models

Cell proliferation plays an essential role in most biological processes. Therefore, a multitude of mathematical models has been developed to describe proliferation processes, covering the intracellular signal transduction as well as the population balance.

We present a unifying modeling framework for proliferating cell populations. The proposed framework incorporates age structure and label dynamics, and allows for a direct comparison of model predictions and measurement data (here: proliferation assays). While the resulting system of coupled partial differential equations is highly complex, we prove that it can be decomposed into two lower-dimensional systems. This reduces the computational effort and allows for sophisticated parameter estimation procedures.

The unified modeling approach in combination with the analytical and numerical treatment provides several advantages compared to existing approaches. These advantages are illustrated by studying the proliferation dynamics of T lymphocytes.