>Date: Thu, 26 Jan 1995 19:42:13 -0800 (PST) >From: Marc Brande <[log in to unmask]> >To: Whole Systems List <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Whole-Cell Biology There are a number of plant cell biologist who look at cytoskeleton dynamics in living cells, a few of them are on this list. It's something I am gearing up to do in conjunction with whole-cell and multicellular modelling along similar lines to Heinz Hemken. Yep, you need powerful CPU (i.e. lots of $$) and heaps of RAM, something at least equivalent to the mid-range SGI computers. People have started modelling cytoskeleton dynamics at the molecular level with a limited number of subunits in solution (e.g. Monte Carlo simulation of actin/actinin dynamics), but for whole cell work I imagine you'd have to simplify quite a bit, otherwise be very patient while the computer crunches through the simulation. I think it will be worth it in the end, because I reckon we're getting to the stage where words and static images are becoming inadequate to accurately describe complex 3D dynamics in cells. I agree that we now know (almost?) enough about cell structure and the kinetics of cell components (e.g. Ca fluxes, protein interactions) to start building realistic 3D dynamic models. We'll find out soon enough what we don't know when the simulations don't match experimental results! In the plant world, there are mathematical models for cell growth and division that give pretty realistic simulations for very simple plants, but the problem is that the mathematics doesn't tell you much (if anything) about the underlying biology that controls cell expansion and division. And every simulation gives you exactly the same pattern of division, etc. Anyway, I'd be very interested to hear about other work in this area. There isn't much literature at all: lots of volume-rendering stuff mostly with medical applications, some maths-based simulation and just a small amount of work on dynamic simulation of protein interactions in vitro. cheers, Rosemary _______________________________________________________ Rosemary White __ / Department of Ecology _/ \__/ \ and Evolutionary Biology / \ Clayton, Victoria 3168 / Australia \ \ ____ / [log in to unmask] \_/ \_*_/ fax 61-3-905 5613 __ ph. 61-3-905 5670 \/