On the formalization of multi-scale and multi-science processes for integrative biology

Abstract

The aim of this work is to introduce the general concept of ‘Bond Graph’ (BG) techniques applied in the context of multi-physics and multi-scale processes. BG modelling has a natural place in these developments. BGs are inherently coherent as the relationships defined between the ‘elements’ of the graph are strictly defined by causality rules and power (energy) conservation. BGs clearly show how power flows between components of the systems they represent. The ‘effort’ and ‘flow’ variables enable bidirectional information flow in the BG model. When the power level of a system is low, BGs degenerate into signal flow graphs in which information is mainly one-dimensional and power is minimal, i.e. they find a natural limitation when dealing with populations of individuals or purely kinetic models, as the concept of energy conservation in these systems is no longer relevant. The aim of this work is twofold: on the one hand, we will introduce the general concept of BG techniques applied in the context of multi-science and multi-scale models and, on the other hand, we will highlight some of the most promising features in the BG methodology by comparing with examples developed using well-established modelling techniques/software that could suggest developments or refinements to the current state-of-the-art tools, by providing a consistent framework from a structural and energetic point of view.