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An Invitation to Biomathematics

  • 1st Edition - August 23, 2007
  • Latest edition
  • Authors: Raina Robeva, James R. Kirkwood, Robin Lee Davies, Leon Farhy, Boris Kovatchev, Martin Straume, Michael L. Johnson
  • Language: English

Essential for all biology and biomathematics courses, this textbook provides students with a fresh perspective of quantitative techniques in biology in a field where virtually an… Read more

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Description

Essential for all biology and biomathematics courses, this textbook provides students with a fresh perspective of quantitative techniques in biology in a field where virtually any advance in the life sciences requires a sophisticated mathematical approach. An Invitation to Biomathematics, expertly written by a team of experienced educators, offers students a solid understanding of solving biological problems with mathematical applications. This text succeeds in enabling students to truly experience advancements made in biology through mathematical models by containing computer-based hands-on laboratory projects with emphasis on model development, model validation, and model refinement.

The supplementary work, Laboratory Manual of Biomathematics is available separately ISBN 0123740223, or as a set ISBN: 0123740290)

Key features

  • Provides a complete guide for development of quantification skills crucial for applying mathematical methods to biological problems
  • Includes well-known examples from across disciplines in the life sciences including modern biomedical research
  • Explains how to use data sets or dynamical processes to build mathematical models
  • Offers extensive illustrative materials
  • Written in clear and easy-to-follow language without assuming a background in math or biology
  • A laboratory manual is available for hands-on, computer-assisted projects based on material covered in the text

Readership

courses in mathematical biology, as well as in general mathematics and biology courses that cover the application of math and statistics to biological problems. The reader is not expected to have any extensive background in either math or biology.

Table of contents

1. Processes that Change with Time: Introduction to Dynamical Systems / 2. Complex Dynamics Emerging from Interacting Dynamical Systems / 3. Mathematics in Genetics / 4. Quantitative Genetics and Statistics / 5. Risk Analysis of Blood Glucose Data / 6. Predicting Septicemia in Neonates / 7. Cooperative Binding: How Your Blood Transports Oxygen / 8. Ligand Binding, Data Fitting, and Least-Squares Estimates of Model Parameters / 9. Endocrinology and Hormone Pulsatility / 10. Endocrine Network Modeling: Feedback Loops and Hormone Oscillations / 11. Detecting Rhythms in Confounded Data / 12. Using Microarrays to Study Gene Expression Patterns

Review quotes

“I was impressed with the excellent job done by the authors…particularly, how the biology is explained first and then the math necessary to solve the problem is developed.” —Phil Ryan, Truman State University

“I would strongly recommend publication. This book will show young biologists how their existing mathematical skills can be put to powerful use in modern biology.” —Martin Steward, University of Manchester

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: August 23, 2007
  • Language: English

About the authors

RR

Raina Robeva

Raina Robeva was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. She holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Virginia and is a Professor of Mathematics and a Karl E. Peace Fellow in Mathematics at Randolph-Macon College in the United States. Her current research is in the broad fields of mathematical and systems biology. In addition to editing this second edition, she has authored and edited several books, including A Bridge to Higher Mathematics (CRC Press, 2024), Algebraic and Combinatorial Computational Biology (Academic Press, 2019), and Algebraic and Discrete Mathematical Methods for Modern Biology (Academic Press, 2015). She has chaired the Advisory Board of the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), led the Committee on Special Interest Groups of the Mathematical Association of America, and served for over a decade as the founding Editor-in-Chief of Frontiers in Systems Biology.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Mathematics, Karl E. Peace Fellow in Mathematics, Randolph-Macon College, VA USA

JK

James R. Kirkwood

Affiliations and expertise
Sweet Briar College, Virginia, U.S.A.

RD

Robin Lee Davies

Affiliations and expertise
Sweet Briar College, Virginia, U.S.A.

BK

Boris Kovatchev

Dr. Boris Kovatchev is Professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and School of Engineering, and founding director of the Center for Diabetes Technology. He has a 30-year track record in mathematical modeling, biosimulation, and algorithm development. Currently, he is Principal Investigator of several projects dedicated to Diabetes Data Science and the development of artificial pancreas and decision support systems, including the large-scale NIH International Diabetes Closed-Loop Trial and the UVA Strategic Investment Fund project “Precision Individualized Medicine for Diabetes”. Dr. Kovatchev is author of over 200 peer-reviewed publications and holds 85 patents.
Affiliations and expertise
Center for Diabetes Technology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, USA

MS

Martin Straume

Affiliations and expertise
University of Virginia, Center for Biomathematical Technology, U.S.A.

MJ

Michael L. Johnson

Affiliations and expertise
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, USA