Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of the in-host Dynamics of HIV infection

Stephen Pankavich

pankavic@mines.edu

Recently, a mathematical model of the in-host dynamics of HIV, consisting of a system of seven nonlinear differential equations, was introduced. This model was the first to simulate the entire life span of HIV disease pathogenesis, and once parameters were fit, it accurately matched clinical data from infected patients. However, in order to achieve such an accurate description, a specific term with no clear biological meaning was included within the differential equations. The general purpose of this project is to investigate this anomalous term: specifically, by considering common biological factors within the model and using multiscale analysis to elucidate their impact. Of particular interest is whether the model responds realistically (i.e. the equations act "biologically") to small perturbations, which would add credence to the nonbiological term's credibility; or whether the model "breaks down" when subjected to the addition of these new common biological factors, which would imply that the addition of the new term is inconsistent with the inherent nature of the model.

Grand Challenge: Advance health informatics.

Publications on my research website:

https://inside.mines.edu/~pankavic

Steve Pankavich, pankavic@mines.edu