Multi-scale and reduced modelling of biological systems

Abstract

In systems biology there is an intrinsic need for multiscale modelling, because physiological functions account for many spatial / time scales and processes, with a close connection between multi-scale, multi-physics approaches and model reduction. The paper is an overview attempting to transmit a new perspective on modelling of complex biological systems. We discuss the key points in system-level analysis and multi-scale modelling of bio-systems, making a classification of methods used in different scales and characterizing the multi-scale approach. The main contribution is the presentation of role and importance of complexity reduction in the multiscale modelling of biosystems, proposing in this respect a procedure proven to be efficient for multiphysics structures.