Section: Research Program

Multi-level modelling

Multi-level modelling addresses models spanning many spatial scales composed of functional connected modules on each of these scales  [64]. Typical representatives of multilevel systems are organs, that are composed of cells of different types coordinated in space, extracellular matrix, etc. Development, parameterisation, verification and validation of such models is challenging as it is usually not possible to simultaneously perform experimental measurements on each level simultaneously.

The fundamental strategy is composed of a multi-step strategy, parameterising sub-models individually before connecting them  [71]. For this, models shall be parameterised by measurable quantities for which parameter ranges can be reliably estimated. Then simulated parameter sensitivity simulations are run, comparing results with experiments. If the best agreement between model and experiment is insufficient, the model is wrong or incomplete. If several models are able to explain the data, settings should be run with these models that lead to experimentally testable distinguishable outcomes.