Discrete Event Systems and Client-Server Model for Signaling Mechanisms

A suitable mathematical framework for modeling and simulation will be beneficial for a better and deeper understanding of complex biological systems. Our work shows that a general framework of the mathematical theory of modeling and simulation, together with the network client-server model can lead to a novel software approach and give new insights in molecular networks. Based on the Discrete Event System formalism, in this paper we present a model of the molecular network during T cell activation and other cell responses. The approach is systemic; we do not investigate individual molecules, but describe their network behaviour. The dynamics of molecular networks is provided by a set of interactive processes and appropriate rules for various transition or communication steps. We prove that such a system based mainly on communication has the same expressive power as a Turing machine.