Abstract
Theoretical modeling approaches have made important contributions to research in the biological sciences, including the microcirculation, and their value is increasingly recognized. However, misconceptions about the nature and role of theoretical models persist, and such work is often presented in a way that does not maximize its value, especially for scientists who are not themselves using such models. In this review, a categorization of models as phenomenological, qualitative conceptual, quantitative conceptual, or predictive is proposed, and the characteristics of each type are discussed. Recommendations are made for the presentation of models and for the future development of modeling approaches. The concepts discussed are generally applicable to the theoretical modeling of biological systems and are illustrated by using examples of modeling in microcirculation research.
Acknowledgements
This special topic issue of Microcirculation on “Theoretical Modeling of the Microcirculation” was conceived at a workshop on Blood Flow in the Microcirculation: Function, Regulation, and Adaptation, held January 22–26, 2007, at the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI) at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. The MBI receives major funding from the National Science Foundation Division of Mathematical Sciences and is supported by The Ohio State University.