Session Introduction

1. Session Background and Motivation Today's biology and biomedical research is increasing inundated with data, based in part on improved instrumentation and techniques that automate the data capture and storage. Genomics and proteomics efforts are producing data at an increasing rate, the data are more of a descriptive nature and do not provide information on functional and structural integration and interactions of the parts. Improved microscopy and imaging, along with other types of instrumentation, are also producing data on components of larger living system. But to better understand human physiology and to allow for predictive capabilities of disease prevention and treatment it is crucial to develop multiscale models and simulation systems that can operate at and across various scales, across the length scale from nanometers for molecules to meters for human bodies, as well as across time scale from nano-seconds for molecular interactions to minutes, hours and years for human life. For example, new experimental techniques are able to observe the cellular dynamics and the localization of intracellular proteins at the same time. A multiscale modeling approach incorporating molecular and cellular mechanisms is needed to explain these data.