System dynamics metamodels supporting the development of computational models of the human innate immune system

Abstract

The human body is protected against pathogenic invasions by a complex system of cells, tissues and organs which form the Human Immune System (HIS). Understanding how the HIS works is therefore essential to obtain new insights into its nature and to deal effectively with diseases. Mathematical and computational modeling can be used for this purpose. Unfortunately, these complex mathematical models are very difficult to develop, understand and use by a more general and multidisciplinary team. This paper presents a System Dynamics Metamodeling tool, called JynaCore API, that supports the development of complex models using System Dynamics in a more abstract level. To demonstrate the power and usefulness of the proposed System Dynamics Metamodeling tool, in this work we present the development of a complex two-dimensional tissue model that simulates the dynamics of the immune response. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.