Model Parameter estimation for Predictive Medicine
4th-7th July, 2016. University of Birmingham
Mathematical modelling is an invaluable tool with which to test biological hypotheses. The rise in the availability of large-scale relevant data has meant the field of mathematical medicine can now shift from qualitative to clinically relevant quantitative predictions that are much more useful for driving experimental plans to accelerate the development of novel treatments. However there are many problems to tackle along the way. For example, experimental data may not address each variable within the model, it may be sparsely recorded and is likely to be subject to noise. The biggest challenge facing mathematical medicine, therefore, is to reliably estimate model parameters using this data.
This 4 day workshop, funded by the Wellcome Trust, will be an opportunity to learn about and compare parametrisation techniques for ordinary differential equation models through a series of lectures and guided computer practicals with a focus on optimisation, likelihood estimators and Bayesian methods but with additional talks on topics such as model selection and experimental design.
We will provide accomodation, meals, refreshments and some funds toward travel. International applications are welcome and we encourage applicants from a variety of backgrounds including (but not limited to) mathematics, computer science and systems biology. Participants will be expected to have a working knowledge of Matlab.
Places are limited so please apply to register by contacting Dr Sara Jabbari (s.jabbari@bham.ac.uk) by the 27th May using the application form attached below:
Speakers and tutors to include Dr Gary Mirams (University of Oxford), Dr Dov Stekel (University of Nottingham) and Dr Iain Johnston (University of Birmingham).
Organisers:
University of Birmingham - Dr Sara Jabbari (s.jabbari@bham.ac.uk), and Dave Smith (d.j.smith.2@bham.ac.uk)
University of Nottingham - Dr Joanne Dunster (joe.dunster@nottingham.ac.uk), Dr Simon Preston (simon.preston@nottingham.ac.uk), Dr Theo Kypraios (theodore.kypraios@nottingham.ac.uk) and Dr Dov Stekel (dov.stekel@nottingham.ac.uk)