IMSP Biomathematics Initiative

Mathematics and Biology

beyond the
usual…

A Brief Introduction to
Biomathematics
A Brief Introduction to
Biomathematics
Biomath as a Field

Some Classic Models

Maths Needed

Sample ODE Analysis

Biomath as a field
Systems Biology Experimental
Mathematical
Theoretical Biology Biology
Biology

Computational
Biostatistics
Biology
Biomathematics
• Computational
Biomodeling/
• Biomodeling Biocomputing
• Finding • Bioinformatics Mathematical
Solutions Creation of Algorithms, biophysics
• Analysis Numerical Analysis and
Simulation
A LOOK INTO SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
SIMULATION COMP. BIO
 Ecology Biomath
Population dynamics
Malthus (1798):

Verhulst (1838, 1845):

P0
P(t)

P0
K/2

P0
 Ecology Biomath
Interaction of Species
Lotka-Volterra Predator-Prey Model:
 Ecology Biomath
Population Model with Age Structure
Leslie Matrix Model

(LESLIE MATRIX)
 Epidemiology Biomath
Epidemics
SIR Compartmental Model:
Susc 𝝆I 𝜶 Reco
Infec
epti vere
ted
ble d
S+I+R=1
dS dI dR
 SI,  SI I, I
dt dt dt
ENZYME KINETICS
Biomath

Michaelis-Menten
Enzyme Kinetics
Mathematical Physiology
Biomath
MATHs needed

Any branch of Mathematics can be

applied in Biology; however…

the field of biology should dictate the

maths needed, not the other way around.

“Biomathematics without biologists is too

theoretical.”
 Discrete Math
• Combinatorics (e.g. Genome Rearrangement)
• Graph Theory and Network Analysis
• Finite State Automata
• Boolean Networks
 Topology and Modern Algebra
• Knot Theory
• Algebraic
Statistics (e.g.
Phylogeny)
• Fractals
 Operations Research
• Optimization
• Evolutionary
Game Theory
• Dynamic
Programming
(e.g. DNA
Sequence
Alignment)
Probability; Stochastic Process and Calculus

• Deterministic Models + Noise (e.g. diffusion)

• Markov Chains
• Bayesian Networks
• Probabilistic Models (e.g. genetics)
 Difference Equation

Bifurcation and Chaos

Fibonacci
Sequence
 dx/dt dy/dt
Differential Equations

Every biomathematician should be good in ODEs,

PDEs and DDEs.
• Model and Analysis of Dynamical Systems
• Control of Systems
• MODEL PROCESSES AND CHANGE (cycles,
switching, kinetics, rhythms, Input-Output,
interaction, conduction, rate of growth/decay…
etc.)
dn/dt dP/dt
 ODEs

Solutions and Analysis of ODEs can be done by:

1. Finding Explicit or Implicit Formula as
solution
2. Finding series solution
3. Numerical analysis
4. Representing solutions as graphs
5. Perturbation and stability analysis
6. Etc…
 Perturbation & Stability Analysis
Find Steady-states (Equilibrium/Critical/Rest Points)
If Steady-state, is it stable or unstable?

Equilibrium Point (unstable) Equilibrium Point (unstable)

Not in steady state

Equilibrium Point (stable)

 Harvesting in Countville
Harvesting a Single Population with a constant yield Y0 :

dN/dt

Y0
Y0=rK/4
increasing

Unstable!
0 N
INFINITE
RECOVERY
TIME
 Some Open Problems
(Chemostat Equations)

n-species compete for k complementary resources

• n=2 k=2 classic example
• n=3 k=2 competitive exclusion
• n>3 k=2 open problem
• n=4 k=3 co-existence may exist
• n=5 k=3 chaotic
• n=12 k=5 coexists in oscillatory form or
chaotic form
 Romeo and Juliet
Let R(t) be Romeo’s ardor for Juliet, J(t) be Juliet’s ardor for Romeo

dR/dt = aJ
dJ/dt = bR
 IMSP Biomathematics Initiative

Mathematics and Biology

beyond the
usual…

A Brief Introduction to
Biomathematics