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How to Build a Multiscale Model in Biology

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Abstract

Biological processes span several scales in space, from the single molecules to organisms and ecosystems. Multiscale modelling approaches in biology are useful to take into account the complex interactions between different organisation levels in those systems. We review several single- and multiscale models, from the most simple to the complex ones, and discuss their properties from a multiscale point of view. Approaches based on master equations for stochastic processes, individual-based models, hybrid continuous-discrete models and structured PDE models are presented.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the organisers of the SFBT (Francophone Society for Theoretical Biology) for the opportunity to present an early version of this work. I also thank colleagues from the Inria Dracula Team for insightful discussions, and C. Knibbe for code development used in Fig. 6.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut Camille Jordan, CNRS UMR 5208, Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, 69622, Villeurbanne, France

    Samuel Bernard

  2. Équipe Inria Dracula, F-69100, Villeurbanne, France

    Samuel Bernard

  3. Rhône-Alpes Complex Systems Institute (IXXI), F-69007, Lyon, France

    Samuel Bernard

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Correspondence to Samuel Bernard.

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Bernard, S. How to Build a Multiscale Model in Biology. Acta Biotheor 61, 291–303 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10441-013-9199-z

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