It is widely anticipated that Biology and Biomedical science will experience a new renaissance in the 21st century. The complexity of the biological sciences makes interdisciplinary involvement essential and the increasing use of mathematics in biology is inevitable as biology becomes more quantitative. Mathematical biology is a fast growing and exciting modern application of mathematics that has gained worldwide recognition. Mathematical models can suggest possible mechanisms underlying specific biological processes and through their development and analysis one can gain insight into complex biological systems. Proper development and analysis also can lead to predictions that may follow under currently untested conditions.

Mathematical Biology has grown into a very diverse field and the University of Michigan’s College of LS&A has numerous departments with scientists working in this field, including (but not inclusive of)

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Biophysics
Center for the Study of Complex Systems
Mathematics
Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Physics
Psychology
Statistics

The university is also home to researchers working in mathematical biology in Engineering, Public Health and Medicine.

The theme semester will explore the beauty of combining mathematics with biology. Biological systems are exceptionally diverse, complex, and special at the same time. The difficulties of investigating such systems will be discussed as well as the advances made by the unique collaboration between experimentalists, modelers, and statisticians will also be presented. The theme semester should provide an opportunity for researchers to develop new collaborations and for students to see the rich diversity that is Mathematical Biology.

For more information on Mathematical Biology, please contact Professor Patrick Nelson at pwn@umich.edu or visit http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/conferences/mathbio/index.html