John H. Miller
Computer Simulation of Biological Systems
Picture : Dr. Miller and a graduate student.
Dr. John H. Miller and his collaborators are developing computer simulations as a way to model biological systems at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels.The high throughput data-collection methods of genomics and proteomics are revealing the extensive parts lists of biological organisms and the vast number of connections between these parts. Computer simulations integrate biological, chemical, and physical data based on a hypothesis for how the biological system works. In this sense, they are a marriage between traditional reductionism and the new "discovery" paradigm of biology.
For example, in simulations of radiation-induced bystander effects, proteomics is needed to identify the messengers released by cells that are traversed by particles of the radiation field (i.e. hit cells). Physical properties of the extracellular matrix determine the transport of these proteins to neighboring cells (bystanders). Ligand-receptor affinities determine the sensitivity of bystanders to the signals being transmitted and genomics determines their response to detected signals.
Current simulations only scratch the surface of biological complexity; nevertheless, they demonstrate the central role that information technology can play in bringing genomics and proteomics to bear on issue of health, environment, and national security.
