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Naamah Bloch, David Harel (Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel)
Modeling biological systems by computerized models that support interactive simulations has the ability to integrate a large amount of experimental data, and generate a comprehensive overview of the system as a whole. This is essential for a clear understanding of the biology and is a convenient tool for further analysis. In this study, we present a computational model of a cancerous tumor and its microenvironment. The tumor cannot survive or progress on its own, as it depends on the dynamic microenvironment in which it originates and the bi-directional interactions with its surroundings. We use a bottom-up modeling technique, whereby each of the elements of the system is described individually, using only the fundamental building blocks of that element. The system's overall behavior emerges from that of the elements thereof, which is the essence of realistic modeling. The model was created using the language of Statecharts, which enables one to specify individual entities in order to capture the dynamic behavior of the system as a whole. The model was then connected to an animation front-end, making it possible to visualize the on-going occurrences of the simulation in real-time.