Computational insights in cell physiology

Physiological processes are governed by intricate networks of transcriptional and post-translational regulations. Inter-cellular interactions and signaling pathways further modulate the response of the cells to environmental conditions. Understanding the dynamics of these systems in healthy conditions and their alterations in pathologic situations requires a "systems" approach. Computational models allow to formalize and to simulate the dynamics of complex networks. Here, we briefly illustrate, through a few selected examples, how modeling helps to answer non-trivial questions regarding rhythmic phenomena, signaling and decision-making in cellular systems. These examples relate to cell differentiation, metabolic regulation, chronopharmacology and calcium dynamics.