6th Simon Stevin Lecture on Optimization in Engineering

"Optimization in computational systems biology" .pdf

Julio R. Banga, IIM-CSIC,
Spanish Council for Scientific Research
Vigo, Spain
Email: julio@iim.csic.es
Web : http://www.iim.csic.es/~julio/research.html




Abstract

Systems biology aims to discover how function arises from dynamic interactions in living systems. Its ultimate objective should be to explain how the components within a cell interact dynamically, and then how cells interact, resulting in the observed structure, organization and function. Systems biology offers unique opportunities for applying systems engineering methods, which are based on mathematical models. Correspondingly, new types of biological problems are motivating new research in theoretical systems engineering.

Optimization aims to make a system or design as effective or functional as possible. Mathematical optimization methods are widely used in engineering, economics and science. This talk will be focused on applications of mathematical optimization in computational systems biology. Examples are given illustrating the use of optimization methods in topics including optimal model building, optimality in biochemical metabolic networks, optimization of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Finally, several perspectives for future research are outlined.

Bibliographical Information:

Julio R. Banga obtained a M.Sc. in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in 1988, and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the same University in 1991. During 1992, he was a postdoc at the University of California, Davis (USA), and then spent three years as Assist. Prof. of Chemical Engineering at the University of Vigo, Spain. During those years, he also spent periods as visiting researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and at the M.I.T. (USA). Since 1996, he is a tenured Scientific Researcher at the Process Engineering Group, IIM-CSIC (Spanish Council for Scientific Research) in Vigo, Spain. His main research topic is the application of optimization methods, with emphasis on global optimization, to problems arising from the domain of nonlinear dynamic processes, with applications targeting the areas of bioprocess engineering and systems biology. He is the author of more than 100 archival publications. Currently he is a member of the Editorial Board of BMC Systems Biology.


About the Lecture Series:

The "Simon Stevin Lecture Series on Optimization in Engineering" is set up in order to promote optimization in engineering. For this aim, every quarter of the year an outstanding international scholar is invited to report on latest progress in the development of optimization algorithms and their applications in engineering.
Simon Stevin (1548-1620) was a Flemish mathematician and engineer. Among other, he helped to advance the use of decimal fractions, was the first to explain the tides by the attraction of the moon, and discovered the hydrostatic paradox. He made numerous inventions, among them a wind propelled carriage with sails, the "land yacht", which once impressed Prince Maurice of Orange as it moved faster than horses, in around 1600 on the beach between Scheveningen and Petten. Simon Stevin was fond of promoting the use of science in daily life and in craftmanship, and translated various mathematical terms into dutch. Among other, he introduced the dutch word for mathematics, "wiskunde".

Directly after this spring's Simon Stevin Lecture, a little reception will be given at 18:00 in the salons of Arenberg Castle, to which all attendants of the lecture are most warmly welcome!

***** REGISTRATION ENCOURAGED *****
Please send an e-mail with the subject "STEVIN" to Ida.Tassens@esat.kuleuven.be if you intend to participate in the event. No obligation, just to help us getting an idea how many people plan to come.

This Stevin lecture is co-sponsored by ICCoS (Identification and Control of Complex Systems), a Scientific Research Network of the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen).