Applications of Optimal Control Theory to Immunology

摘要

When an animal is challenged by a foreign substance which promotes an immune response, certain cells within the animal begin dividing, secreting antibody molecules, and differentiating into more specialized cell types. Optimal control theory is applied to ascertain the best strategy available to the immune system in allocating its cells. By examining a variety of mathematical models for cell populations and their antibody production, it is found that the optimal strategy of bang-bang control is robust. Experimental evidence which supports such strategies is also discussed. (ERA citation 03:031969)