Research Group on
Modelling, Simulation and Verification
of Biological Systems

The activity of the research group on modeling, specification and verification of biological systems started in 2004, with the aim of developing formal notations and analysis techniques for biochemical systems. Subsequently, other classes of biological systems and phenomena have been considered such as cellular pathways (in the framework of systems biology), cancer development, and recently also systems of interest for population biology, ecology and evolution. Moreover, research on bio-inspired models of computation (in particular Membrane Systems) has also been undertaken.

The class of notations we have developed for the modelling of biological systems include term rewriting systems, process calculi and automata-based formalisms. As analysis techniques we have developed and applied stochastic simulation, behavioural equivalences, model checking and abstract interpretation. As regards the research on bio-inspired models of computation the focus has been in the development of formal semantics of membrane systems and of variants of such systems aimed at modelling specific classes of biological and ecological systems.

Main research themes:

• Qualitative and quantitative formal modelling of biological systems: the Calculus of Looping Sequences
• Stochastic simulation of chemical reactions and biological systems
• Formal semantics of membrane systems
• Application of model checking and abstract interpretation to models of biological systems
• Development of spatial notations for biological systems