IDEAS:CAMI (IDEntification and Analysis of dynamical Systems: Computational methods and Applications in Microbiology and Immunology)

XUNTA-GAIN

Proxecto financiado pola Xunta de Galicia, Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Universidade, e a Axencia Galega de Innovación. Convocatoria "Programa de Consolidación e Estruturación de Unidades de Investigación Competitivas - Proxectos de Excelencia 2020". Axuda con referencia ED431F 2021/003. Financiamento: 115.000 €. Duración: 2020-2025. (Funded by the Galician Ministry of Culture, Education and Universities, and the Galician Innovation Agency; grant ED431F 2021/003; endowment: 115.000 EUR)

Project summary

This project addresses the dynamic modeling of a class of biological systems, through the application and development of control theoretic tools. Although systems and control theory (and engineering) has reached a high degree of maturity in mechanical, electrical, or chemical technologies, its application to recent biological problems has posed new problems and suggested new lines of research. Thus, in recent decades we have witnessed the development of methodologies for parameter estimation, identifiability analysis, process optimization, network inference or bifurcation analysis in the area known as systems biology.

Specifically, in this project we will study the systems formed by communities of microorganisms and / or bacteriophage viruses, and of cell populations of the immune system. Microbial communities play a key role in human health and biotechnology. Bacteriophage viruses, or phages, are an alternative to antibiotics due to their ability to attack bacteria without causing side effects in humans. The activity of the immune system and its control is relevant for both non-infectious diseases (cancer, autoimmune diseases, allergies) and pathogenic infectious diseases.

The variety of possible interactions in these communities results in a range of complex behaviors, the quantitative analysis of which requires dynamic models. Such models are generally nonlinear, and present difficulties for their identification and analysis.

In this project we will develop methodologies for these purposes, and we will apply them to the modeling of biological communities of biomedical or biotechnological interest. We will also implement the methods in computer tools, to help alleviate the shortage of specialized software for these problems.

Research team

Gemma Massonis (IIM-CSIC / UVIGO)

Antonio Carvajal Rodríguez (UVIGO, Genetics)

Jose Faro Rivas (UVIGO, Immunology)

Jose Antonio González Prieto (CUD / UVIGO)

Alejandro F. Villaverde (UVIGO, Systems & Control Engineering)

Xabier Rey Barreiro (UVIGO, Systems & Control Engineering)