ELECANS--an integrated model development environment for multiscale cancer systems biology.

Abstract

Computational multiscale models help cancer biologists to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of complex biological systems and to reveal the underlying mechanism of emergent properties. To facilitate the construction of such models, we have developed a next generation modelling platform for cancer systems biology, termed 'ELECANS' (electronic cancer system). It is equipped with a graphical user interface-based development environment for multiscale modelling along with a software development kit such that hierarchically complex biological systems can be conveniently modelled and simulated by using the graphical user interface/software development kit combination. Associated software accessories can also help users to perform post-processing of the simulation data for visualization and further analysis. In summary, ELECANS is a new modelling platform for cancer systems biology and provides a convenient and flexible modelling and simulation environment that is particularly useful for those without an intensive programming background. ELECANS, its associated software accessories, demo examples, documentation and issues database are freely available at http://sbie.kaist.ac.kr/sub_0204.php. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.