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A Modeling Framework For Immune-related Diseases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2012

F. Castiglione*
Affiliation:
National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
S. Motta
Affiliation:
University of Catania, Catania, Italy
F. Pappalardo
Affiliation:
University of Catania, Catania, Italy
M. Pennisi
Affiliation:
University of Catania, Catania, Italy
*
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

About twenty five years ago the first discrete mathematical model of the immune systemwas proposed. It was very simple and stylized. Later, many other computational models havebeen proposed each one adding a certain level of sophistication and detail to thedescription of the system. One of these, the Celada-Seiden model published back in 1992,was already mature at its birth, setting apart from the topic-specific nature of the othermodels. This one was not just a model but rather a framework with which one couldimplement his own immunological theories.

Here we describe this computational framework, developed to perform simulations ofdifferent pathologies that are directly or indirectly connected to the immune system. Webriefly describe the system first, then we report on few applications so to give thereader a clear idea of its practical utility in clinical research problems.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2012

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