Mathematical and computational models play a key role in our understanding of pulmonary physiology. Advancing the ability of these models to link anatomic structure to physiologic function increasingly relies on use of the theory of networks. This is no doubt due in part to the fact that the gas exchanging regions of the lung are served by a network of conducting airways. However, network concepts also apply to many other aspects of pulmonary structure and function. Examples include the intracellular messaging network that determines how epithelial cells respond to environmental challenges, and the network of interconnected structural proteins that comprise the pulmonary parenchyma. Network concepts have also been used to model how parenchymal disease propagates across the lung tissue. Indeed, networks are to be found at all levels of length scale in the lung and thus potentially have application in a wide variety of pathologic processes.
In this research topic, we invite scientists to contribute papers on the pulmonary applications of theoretical and/or computational models based on network concepts, network structures and/or statistical methods of network analysis. Analyses of experimental data using network models are also welcome. We anticipate that network theories and methods will continue to have an important impact on lung research, and that the contributions assembled in this research topic will collectively help to advance the field.
Mathematical and computational models play a key role in our understanding of pulmonary physiology. Advancing the ability of these models to link anatomic structure to physiologic function increasingly relies on use of the theory of networks. This is no doubt due in part to the fact that the gas exchanging regions of the lung are served by a network of conducting airways. However, network concepts also apply to many other aspects of pulmonary structure and function. Examples include the intracellular messaging network that determines how epithelial cells respond to environmental challenges, and the network of interconnected structural proteins that comprise the pulmonary parenchyma. Network concepts have also been used to model how parenchymal disease propagates across the lung tissue. Indeed, networks are to be found at all levels of length scale in the lung and thus potentially have application in a wide variety of pathologic processes.
In this research topic, we invite scientists to contribute papers on the pulmonary applications of theoretical and/or computational models based on network concepts, network structures and/or statistical methods of network analysis. Analyses of experimental data using network models are also welcome. We anticipate that network theories and methods will continue to have an important impact on lung research, and that the contributions assembled in this research topic will collectively help to advance the field.