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Figure 2 | BMC Systems Biology

Figure 2

From: Toward modular biological models: defining analog modules based on referent physiological mechanisms

Figure 2

Exchangeability and reusability of physiomimetic mechanism modules. “Lollipops” represent parametric containers: state information exposed via Java Interfaces. “Sockets” represent state information required as parameters via Java Interfaces. A) Hepatocyte component diagram and exchangeability. Hepatocyte state information is grouped physiologically and exposed to PMMs as Java Interfaces. These PMMs are easily exchanged with alternative mechanisms, different versions, or new mechanistic hypotheses. B) Alternatively, these same PMMs can be used by different cell types, experimental protocols (in vitro vs. in vivo), or model use cases. The only requirement is that the mechanism user (e.g. Heart Cell) exposes the appropriate groups of state information as Java Interfaces. It can then include its own, heart-specific, modular or non-modular mechanisms without interfering with the PMMs.

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