Complex Systems Task Group Summaries (2009) / Chapter Skim
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Task Group Summary 4--Can engineering systems and control approaches generate new strategies for altering imbalanced macrophage profiles in human disease?
Task Group Summary 4--Can engineering systems and control approaches generate new strategies for altering imbalanced macrophage profiles in human disease?
Pages 33-40
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From page 33... ...
The reductionist approaches of cell and molecular biology have been spectacularly effective in revealing the elements of biological design, but these approaches are incapable of providing the quantitative and integrative techniques that are required to reveal the design principles of the intact system, the repertoire of its dynamic behaviors, and its pathologies. There is an emerging focus of activity on discovering biological design principles that draws upon our experience with complex engineered systems.
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From page 34... ...
o Sensors for the relevant biological signals o Logic processor for integration of input signals o Signal processing for a relevant set of actuators o Design and optimization of a control strategy o Consider fault detection and plan an abort module to cover unintended consequences o Integrate testing and validation of all subsystem models as the overall design progresses
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From page 35... ...
that can deal with the tradeoffs of evading the host immune system long enough to be effective and delivering with specificity toxins to kill only tumor cells. Required Reading Anderson JC, Clarke EJ, Arkin AP, Voigt CA.
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From page 36... ...
But significant recent advances in the understanding of human biology have led scientists to wonder whether it might soon be possible to affect a person's future by controlling the fate of his or her individual cells. By coaxing cells down a specific developmental path, scientists might be able to grow new pancreatic cells for a diabetic, or cure a patient's cancer by forcing wayward cells to stop dividing.
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From page 37... ...
For instance, although M2 macrophages promote tumor growth, they also encourage wound healing and kill parasites. Some group members worried that eliminating M2 macrophages could slow tumor growth but create other problems, such as decubitus ulcers or chronic parasitic infections.
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From page 38... ...
Unfortunately, using viruses to package and ship genes into cells is still difficult to do with the precision and safety needed for human medicine. To minimize risk, a virally delivered system would need to be carefully monitored and controlled.
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From page 39... ...
" asked John Wikswo, a professor of biomedical engineering, molecular physiology and biophysics, and physics at Vanderbilt University. By the second day of the conference, the group realized that many of their questions could only be answered through direct experimentation in the lab -- either the tailored virus strategy would work, or it wouldn't.
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From page 40... ...
What's needed now is to address distributed, multitarget cell sensing and control.
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