The Continuous π-Calculus: A Process Algebra for Biochemical Modelling

  • Authors:
  • Marek Kwiatkowski;Ian Stark

  • Affiliations:
  • Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science School of Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland;Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science School of Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland

  • Venue:
  • CMSB '08 Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Computational Methods in Systems Biology
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

We introduce the continuous π-calculus, a process algebra for modelling behaviour and variation in molecular systems. Key features of the language are: its expressive succinctness; support for diverse interaction between agents via a flexible network of molecular affinities; and operational semantics for a continuous space of processes. This compositional semantics also gives a modular way to generate conventional differential equations for system behaviour over time. We illustrate these features with a model of an existing biological system, a simple oscillatory pathway in cyanobacteria. We then discuss future research directions, in particular routes to applying the calculus in the study of evolutionary properties of biochemical pathways.