4G7 Control and Computation in Living Systems

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• Introduce students to formalisms for modelling biological systems at multiple levels, from molecules to organisms
• Provide tools for understanding how nonlinear computations arise in biological systems to enable decision making, timing, memory and control
• Develop an appreciation of current research in quantitative biology through case studies of recent and/or classic research papers

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

• Introduce examples of biological computation and control: bacterial chemotaxis, circadian oscillators, motor pattern generators, biochemical
• Construct and analyse formal models of living systems, including biochemical networks, neural networks and populations of agents
• Provide a contextual introduction to key mathematical and computational tools: (nonlinear) feedback control, qualitative theory of ODEs, singular perturbation theory, stochastic dynamical systems, simulation methods.
• Develop ability to simulate and experiment with models of living systems and report results coherently and critically
• Develop ability to read, understand and appreciate/contextualise research papers in quantitative biology and mathematical biology