James B. Bassingthwaighte, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor of Bioengineering and Radiology, University of Washington

Title of Keynote Lecture: Reproducibility in Modeling: Technology for the Stepping Stones of Science

In the modeling of biological structures and processes in order to construct the Physiome (the quantitative and mechanistic modeling of the organism), one simplifies both to understand and to reduce models for practical computation. Fractals help to reconstruct the anatomy of organs, and the local correlation they describe reduces the need for high spatial resolution in mechanical and biochemical processes. At another level, the multiple conformational states that proteins undergo often give rise to fractal kinetics (logarithmic slowing) and conflict with the use of simple first order kinetics in chemical equations. The challenge of the Physiome is to reconcile the scientific and computational conflicts and to bring engineering efficiency into the understanding of biology. Modeling technologies are now advanced enough so the Reproducible Research Packages can be used to provide intact and complete coverage of a research model and the data analysis validating its use as a stepping stone. These will serve the end goal of bringing the power of modeling into the design of therapies and the selection of pharmaceutic agents.

Biography:

James B. Bassingthwaighte is a Professor of Bioengineering and Radiology at the University of Washington. He is an active teacher and researcher focused on bioengineering and quantitative and integrative approaches to cardiovascular physiology. He trained in Physiology and Biochemistry (University of Toronto, B.A. 1951), Medicine (University of Toronto, M.D. 1955), and studied at the PostGraduate Medical School of London (Hammersmith Hospital) and at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he completed a residency in Medicine and Cardiology and a Ph.D. in Physiology (1964). In 1973 at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine from 1964 to 1975 he became Professor of Medicine and Physiology. From 1975 to 1979, he chaired the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington. In 1979 he established the National Simulation Resource Facility for Circulatory Mass Transport and Exchange at the University of Washington, a center for research and development of methods of modeling analysis of the circulation, kinetics of solute blood-tissue exchange and metabolic systems. Particular contributions are in the interpretation of PET and NMR images and in multiple indicator dilution studies. His scientific goals have emphasized integrative approaches. In 1997 he formally initiated the Physiome Project, a large-scale, international effort to organize and integrate physiological knowledge from genome to integrated function. This effort required the development of web-based and networked biological databases (www.phsyiome.org). He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications and two books, served as President of the Biomedical Engineering Society and the Microcirculatory Society, chaired the Cardiovascular Section of the American Physiological Society, and was the Editor-in-chief of the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. He is a Fellow of AIMBE (American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering) and of the IFMBE (International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering) and has been the recipient of honors from BMES, American Physiological Society, Maastricht University (The Netherlands), The Netherlands Biophysical Society, Cardiovascular Systems Dynamics Society, Microcirculatory Society, and McGill University. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.