Seminar by Prof Mike Holcombe, 10 March 2009: Formal methods, supercomputers and simulation - understanding complex biological, economic and social systems
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From: Paul.Boca on 5 Mar 2010 17:56 (Apologies if you receive multiple copies of this announcement) BCS-FACS Evening Seminar Series Formal methods, supercomputers and simulation - understanding complex biological, economic and social systems Professor Mike Holcombe (Sheffield University) 10 March 2010 6pm BCS London Offices First Floor, The Davidson Building 5 Southampton Street London WC2E 7HA http://www.bcs.org/upload/pdf/london-office-guide.pdf A fundamental challenge for science is to understand better the complex world we inhabit.This world comprises many complex systems many of which adapt to changing circumstances. One increasingly successful approach to modelling these systems is by using a multi-agent approach where large numbers of individual components interact, communicate and develop within a dynamic environment to produce emergent structures and behaviour. We use a simple and effective formal model to represent these agents X-agents are adaptations of a generalised state machine and are the basis for the modelling environment FLAME (Flexible Large-scale Agent-based Modelling Environment). FLAME is a simulation program generator that can be used with any type of computer, including high performance supercomputers. The verification, validation and analysis of the models and the simulations they produce is an interesting challenge. We will look at a number of applications of this technology where new discoveries have been made in biology. In molecular biology the role of actin in the sequestration of a key molecule in the innate immune system has been uncovered; in cellular biology we have demonstrated the impact of stem cells and a key regulatory growth factor on the ability of tissue to repair wounds; in microbiology estimates of key kinetic parameters in the transformation between aerobic and anaerobic respiration in the bacterium E. coli have been obtained; in social insect ecology the foraging mechanisms of species of ants have been uncovered. Finally we shall look at the EURACE model, the largest detailed model of the European economy yet produced and investigate a number of important policy questions: the benefits of quantitative easing as opposed to fiscal tightening on credit availability; the impact of different labour migration rules on regional economic activity and the role of subsidies in the management of the impacts of energy price shocks. Refreshments will be served from 5.15pm. The seminar is free of charge and open to everyone. If you would like to attend, please email Paul Boca [Paul.Boca(a)googlemail.com] by >>>9 March<< . Pre-registration is required. BCS-FACS Website: http://www.bcs-facs.org Location of venue: http://www.bcs.org/upload/pdf/london-office-guide.pdf |