Generalized Epithelial Transport Modeling: Computational Physiology

Abstract

We present an epithelial modeling tool facilitating the development and validation of models of individual transport processes and whole cell transport. Making use of established standards in computational physiology, our tool enables the user to assemble epithelial cell models from a library of reusable transport process descriptions, starting from either a blank canvas or pre‐existing templates and models from the library. We are developing a library of reusable renal epithelial transport models, ranging from models of individual transporters to whole cell models. Our tool makes use of biological information associated with these models, such as location within a cell membrane or identification of the ions being transported, to guide the user in the assembly of new models. This, combined with other associated information in our library, enables the user to determine a suitable starting point for their work. Such as adding a novel model of the SGLT2 to an existing proximal tubule cell model; or a generic epithelial cell ready for specific transporter models. We additionally associate experimental protocols with the mathematical models, which allow the user to compare their work against existing data. Users are able to contribute new models, protocols, and data to the library for easy dissemination to, and reuse by, the community. Supported by the Virtual Physiological Rat Project, NIH grant [P50‐GM094503].