Big Island of Hawaii, 5th-9th January, 2009.  During the XIV edition of the Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing, a special session on Emerging Challenges in Multi-Scale Modeling in Biology is to be held aiming at fostering the interactive enviroment for researchers working on different scales of biological problems, so that mpre collaborations and activities to bridge multi-scales will be initiated. The overall focus of this session is on challenges to be overcome in computational approaches to multiscale modeling in biology, with a specific focus on mechanistic (i.e. biophysics-based) patient-specific modeling crossing different scales from proteins, cells, tissues, organs, up to the whole organism level.

Call for papers or abstracts which address physics-based modeling activities focused on encompassing at least two levels of physiology.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Multiscale methods: Methods for making the connection between continuum macroscale models and discrete molecula phenomena; Model reduction and systems identification for multiscale dynamical systems; Algorithmic tools for multi-scale modeling systems using optimisation and simulation in time and space; Mesoscale methods to bridge microscales and macroscales; Multi-level finite element methods; from genotype to phenotype; Molecular biology of ion channels and transporters; Excitation-contraction coupling and mechanoelectric feedback in normal and diseased cells; Mechanotransduction; Dynamic simulation of neuromuscular systems.
• Patient-specific modeling: Real-time patient-specific modeling during surgery; Pharmacological (toxicological) effects on physiologic function; Acquisition of patient-specific material properties; Automation of patient-specific modeling.

Important dates

Deadline for paper submission: 14th July, 2008

Notification of paper acceptance: 8th September, 2008

Final paper deadline: 22nd September, 2008 at midnight PDT

Abstract deadline: 7th November, 2008 at noon PST

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