X-Student Research Group: Physiologically based digital twins for the treatment of hypertension with ACE inhibitors and diuretics

 lecture,  course

M. König

04/2023 - 09/2023 - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Biology, ITB
Physiologically based digital twins for the treatment of hypertension with ACE inhibitors and diuretics.

Understanding a drugs pharmacokinetics - how it is absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted by the body - and its pharmacodynamics - how it affects the body - is a key challenge in treating people. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and diuretics are two classes of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Both are among the most commonly prescribed drugs due to the high prevalence of hypertension in an ageing society.

In this X-student research group we will develop physiologically based pharmacokinetic models of the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide and the ACE inhibitor lisinopril. The methodological approach is a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical work by the students. The research project is aimed at students with a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) background, including biology, computer science and medical students. Basic programming skills in Python are required.

With the X-Student Research Groups, the Berlin University Alliance supports research teams consisting of young researchers and students. The goal is to involve students in current research projects of the alliance partners and to enable them to participate in (cutting-edge) research already during their studies.

Funded under the Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Länder by the Berlin University Alliance.

X-Student Research Group: Physiologically based modeling of drugs: ACE inhibitors in the treatment of high blood pressure

 lecture,  course

M. König

10/2022 - 03/2023 - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Biology, ITB
Physiological-based pharmacokinetics model of the ACE inhibitors. The models will study the absorption (GI tract), distribution (systemic circulation), metabolization (liver) and elimination (kidneys and liver) of the ACE inhibitors lisinopril and ramipril. Organs and plasma volumes are connected via the blood flow (Q).

A key challenge in treating people is to understand the pharmacokinetics of a given drug, i.e., how it is absorbed, distributed, metabolized and eliminated by the body, and the pharmacodynamics of the drug, i.e., how the substance is affecting the body. Physiological-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) models are computational models which allow the study of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs in silico. Within this X-Student Research Group we will develop together with the students PBPK models of ACE inhibitors. The methodical approach is a combination of lectures, tutorials, and practical work by the students. The research project is aimed at a maximum of 15 students primarily for students with STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) background including biological, informatic and medical students. Basic programming skills in Python are required.

With the X-Student Research Groups, the Berlin University Alliance supports research teams consisting of young researchers and students. The goal is to involve students in current research projects of the alliance partners and to enable them to participate in (cutting-edge) research already during their studies.

The Berlin University Alliance supports up to 32 X-Student Research Groups per year.

Funded under the Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Länder by the Berlin University Alliance.

Important models of quantitative biology from the literature

 seminar,  course

R. Steuer, P. Romanczuk, N. Blüthgen, M. König

10/2021 - 03/2022 - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Biology, ITB
Important models in quantitative biology

This course discusses, implements and analyses important models in quantitative biology. The course covers Boolean and ordinary differential equation models from metabolism and signalling.

Important models of quantitative biology from the literature

 seminar,  course

R. Steuer, P. Romanczuk, N. Blüthgen, M. König

10/2020 - 03/2021 - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Biology, ITB
Important models in quantitative biology

This course discusses, implements and analyses important models in quantitative biology. The course covers Boolean and ordinary differential equation models from metabolism and signalling.

Models of cellular processes

 lecture

M. König, R. Steuer

10/2019 - 03/2020 - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Biology, ITB
Important models in quantitative biology

This course introduces, implements and analyses models of cellular processes. The lecture covers constraint-based models, Boolean models and ordinary differential equation models from metabolism and signalling. Methods such as parameter optimisation, stochastic models and sensitivity analysis are introduced.

Important models of quantitative biology from the literature

 seminar,  course

N.Blüthgen, M.König, R.Steuer

10/2019 - 03/2020 - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Biology, ITB
Important models in quantitative biology

This course discusses, implements and analyses important models in quantitative biology. The course covers Boolean and ordinary differential equation models from metabolism and signalling.

Important models of quantitative biology from the literature

 seminar,  course

N. Blüthgen, R.Steuer, M. König

10/2018 - 03/2019 - Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Biology, ITB
Important models in quantitative biology

This course discusses, implements and analyses important models in quantitative biology. The course covers Boolean and ordinary differential equation models from metabolism and signalling.