University of Florida Conference on Computational and Systems Biology

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Abstract

In conjunction with a semester-long program on systems and computational biology, the Department of Mathematics is holding a Conference on Computational and Systems Biology in response to the University of Florida Computational Biology Initiative. As the core members of the mathematical biology group, the principal investigators believe that the Department should play a pivotal role in directing these initiatives, especially since mathematics will have profound impacts in these areas. To be held in March 2011, the conference includes a number of invited speakers that are experts in computational and systems biology as well as younger scientists who will interact with the local faculty, administrators, students and exchange ideas and experiences on what should and can be done to successfully launch systems biology programs at the University of Florida and other schools. The conference speakers and their research areas emphasize a wide variety of mathematical approaches to several application areas, including cellular systems, neuroscience, population biology, and ecology. During the conference, current research challenges and important open problems are addressed. Additionally, interactions among speakers and attendees will lead to new opportunities for collaborations. With an emphasis on including students and junior researchers as participants, the conference provides a venue where they can meet leaders in the field and learn more about this interdisciplinary field.