Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A Versatile Automated Platform for Micro-scale Cell Stimulation Experiments
Published on: August 6, 2013
Multi-scale modelling and simulation in systems biology
1Manchester Centre for Integrative Systems Biology, MIB, UK.
Abstract:
The aim of systems biology is to describe and understand biology at a global scale where biological functions are recognised as a result of complex mechanisms that happen at several scales, from the molecular to the ecosystem. Modelling and simulation are computational tools that are invaluable for description, prediction and understanding these mechanisms in a quantitative and integrative way. Therefore the study of biological functions is greatly aided by multi-scale methods that enable the coupling and simulation of models spanning several spatial and temporal scales. Various methods have been developed for solving multi-scale problems in many scientific disciplines, and are applicable to continuum based modelling techniques, in which the relationship between system properties is expressed with continuous mathematical equations or discrete modelling techniques that are based on individual units to model the heterogeneous microscopic elements such as individuals or cells. In this review, we survey these multi-scale methods and explore their application in systems biology.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacodynamic Models: Link Model and Systems Pharmacodynamic Model
Mechanistic Models: Compartment Models in Individual and Population Analysis
Modeling and Similitude
Typical Model Studies
Mechanistic Models: Compartment Models in Algorithms for Numerical Problem Solving
In individual population analyses, different algorithms are employed, such as Cauchy's method, which uses a...
Model Approaches for Pharmacokinetic Data: Distributed Parameter Models
The distributed parameter models are specifically designed to account for variations and differences in some drug classes. This model is particularly useful for assessing regional concentrations of anticancer or...