There are three distinct areas of investigation:

Error Analysis

• Quantification of the problem and identification of unknown parameters;
• Use of evolutionary algorithms, e.g. Pareto frontier;
• Bayesian analysis;
• Consideration of stochastic branching processes (Hidden Markov Chains) to calibrate PCR equipment;
• Ensuring that equipment gives repeatable results when input variables are controlled.

Bioinformatics

• Identification and adaptation of the most suitable algorithm;
• Optimisation of algorithm using suitable software;
• Accounting for the presence of species not identified in culture-based microbial sampling but whose DNA is present in microbiomics-type data;
• Accounting for, and differentiating between different sub-species in the same culture.

Systems Biology

• Re-establishing the validity of the existing model;
• Develop the existing model to become a useful predictive tool, within the error of the equipment;
• Putting the existing model in an easily adaptable and easy-to-share form, e.g. open-source software from CISBAN, Newcastle;
• Testing the system for robustness on changing parameters, which are likely to be highly variable;
• Testing the system's sensitivity to key input parameters.

related resources:

	Underarm malodour modelling
»	Mathematical tasks

other projects:

[Find other Medical and pharmaceutical projects]