About Mathematical Modelling

The Data Science Centre provides expertise in mathematical modelling to support interested EMBL researchers in adopting mathematical modelling techniques, and to promote the interchange of existing modelling expertise throughout EMBL.

How can Mathematical Modelling help your research?

Mathematical models can support you in answering questions, such as:

• What are the essential components of my biological process of interest? Modelling can simplify complex systems and highlight key elements driving the process.
• Are my data consistent with the biological process I believe is creating them? Models can test whether a  proposed mechanism is consistent with observations.
• Which of the alternative hypotheses I have about my process is the most plausible one given my data? Models can compare different explanations and identify the best-supported one.
• What about quantities that cannot be directly measured? Models can  provide estimates for unobservable quantities.
• What will happen in untested experimental conditions, and how uncertain are these predictions? Simulations can explore “what if” situations, such as gene knockouts or drug treatments,  and quantify the confidence in these predictions.
• Which experimental perturbation would be the most informative? Modelling can pinpoint critical parameters and suggest the most informative experiments to perform.

Our services

The Data Science Centre offers training and consulting services in mathematical modelling of biological processes, offering support with method selection, model creation, parameter estimation, uncertainty analysis, and more.