IGEM:IMPERIAL/2006/project/Oscillator/Theoretical Analyses/Approach

Analysis of the Model of the Molecular Predation Oscillator

• Introduction
• Our Approach
• Model Simplication
• Our Results
• Conclusion
• Appendix

Overview of Our Approach

Principle 1: Study of Ever More Complex Models

We took an incremental approach to the study of the 3D model. Under a reasonable set of assumptions the 3D model can be turned into a 2D system. We used this property fully as we built up our analysis towards that of the full 3D model:

- First we studied 2D models

- We started with Lotka-Volterra

- We increased the complexity of the model until we obtained the 2D model equivalent to the 3D model (under the set of assumptions)

- See Result section for list of models

- Then time permitting: the whole 3D Model

Breaking up the complexity of the 3D system the way we did it had several notable advantages.

First it allowed us to learn the basics of Dynamical Systems Analysis and practice them on simple models. Second, by modifying the various terms of the model we got a better understanding on how they interact with each other. Finally, it allowed us to learn from the previous calculations and thus to push them in an effective manner.

Principle 2: Normalisation Effort for a System Analysis

In order to make our results easy to read and comprehend, we normalised the various steps of our analyses and the presentation of our results.

• First page of the analysis: most important results

See the following template for the way we normalised

• Following Pages: Display of important simulations (and comments)

see the following tutorial for a possible way to present simulation results

• More detailed analyses are made available for downloading
  • Detailed analyses = proofs of results, additional simulations...
  • pdf and Doc suggested formats for attachments