Home > Research > Biotechnology Resource Centers

E-mail this page

Biomedical Simulations Resource (BMSR)

Contents

• Contact Information
• Grant Number
• Research Emphasis
• Current Research
• Resource Capabilities
• References

Contact Information

University of Southern California
Viterbi School of Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
1042 Downey Way, DRB 367
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1111
http://bmsr.usc.edu

Principal Investigator/Contact
Vasilis Z. Marmarelis, Ph.D.
Phone: 213-740-0841
marmarelis@bmsr.usc.edu

Contact
Marcos Briano
Phone: 213 740-0342
Fax: 213 740-0343
marcos@bmsr.usc.edu

Grant Number

Grant No. EB001978

Back to Top

Research Emphasis

The Biomedical Simulations Resource (BMSR) is dedicated to the development of mathematical models and simulations of physiological systems as well as novel modeling methodologies for the experimental study of a number of biological processes. Emphasis is on nonlinear and nonstationary time-series models, with applications to sensory, neuronal and biomechanical systems; sparse-data system modeling, with applications to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; and modeling of biological control systems, with applications to cardio-respiratory control.

Back to Top

Current Research

All four core research projects have been developing practical methodologies of physiological systems modeling, focusing on different areas of biomedicine.

Nonlinear and Nonstationary Modeling of Biomedical Systems (Vasilis Z. Marmarelis)

Dr. Marmarelis' current research encompasses methodologies for nonlinear dynamic system modeling, with applications to diabetes, cardiovascular autoregulation, and neuronal dynamics. Marmarelis' work has played a key role in understanding the functioning of interconnected organs and their nonlinear interactions in order to improve clinical diagnosis. For example, the complex dynamic interactions between insulin, glucose and free fatty acids can be analyzed with Marmarelis' modeling methods in order to achieve better regulation of the level of blood glucose. This advanced scientific understanding can also elucidate the causes of obesity and the relation to diabetes. These novel methodologies have been used extensively for modeling neural systems and can also be used to tackle the nonlinear interactions within multi-unit neuronal ensembles.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Systems Analysis (David Z. D'Argenio)

Dr. D'Argenio applies the BMSR systems modeling philosophy to therapeutic drug development through "in silico methods" to study and evaluate candidate drugs to treat cancers, viral, autoimmune and other diseases. To do this, he has had to develop sophisticated methods to model the way drugs work, from their action on molecular targets through clinical disease response. D'Argenio's methods and software tools are used by researchers at all of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies in the world as part of their efforts in testing new drug candidates. The recently approved drugs Enbral, for treating adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and Xolair, the first monocloncal antibody for treating allergy-related asthma, are two examples of drugs that have benefited from the application of D'Argenio's tools as part of their clinical testing.

Dynamic Modeling of State-Cardiorespiratory Interactions (Michael C.K. Khoo)

Dr. Khoo's research focuses on improving the modeling of biological control systems in general, how they feedback on each other, with particular emphasis to the intricate interplay between heart and lungs. His applications to cardio-respiratory coupling in sleep disorders were highlighted in the Spring/Summer 2003 issue of USC Engineer.

Nonlinear Modeling of the Hippocampus (Theodore W. Berger)

Dr. Berger's longtime collaboration with Marmarelis on modeling neural activity in the brain, specifically the hippocampus, has been the springboard from which he embarked on his now widely known efforts to create sophisticated microelectronic components that can reliably emulate the physiological function of parts of the central nervous system and, he hopes, eventually repair damaged tissue and better understand the processes leading to Alzheimer's disease.

Back to Top

Resource Capabilities

Eighteen Collaborative Research Projects serve as challenging test grounds for the Resource's methodologies and expertise. The BMSR's service activities include the development and distribution of four software packages.

Software

• ADAPT—Consists of high-level programs for simulation, parameter estimation and sample schedule design, developed primarily for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling and data analysis applications.
• LYSIS—The Greek word for "solution" is an interactive software package of modular programs that provide an integrated computing environment for nonlinear dynamic system modeling and time-series data analysis.
• PNEUMA—A MatLab/Simulink-based "toolbox" that is aimed at addressing the simulation needs of researchers and students in the fields of respiratory, cardiovascular and sleep physiology and medicine.
• EONS—(Essential Objects of the Nervous System) is an interactive program that allows quantitative modeling of the structural and functional properties of neural synapses.

The Resource's Training and Dissemination activities include short courses, advanced workshops, and the publication of associated research volumes.

Back to Top

References

1. Marmarelis VZ. Nonlinear Dynamic Modeling of Physiological Systems. Wiley, New York, 2004.
2. D'Argenio DZ (ed.). Advanced Methods of Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Systems Analysis. Volume 3, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 2004.
3. Khoo MCK. Physiological Control Systems: Analysis, Simulation and Estimation. IEEE Press, NJ, 2000.
4. Berger, T.W. and Glanzman, D.L. (eds.). Toward Replacement Parts for the Brain: Implantable Biomimetic Electronics as Neural Prostheses.  MIT Press, Cambridge, 2005.