|
|
|
Session 1:
Physics-based simulation course syllabus, learning objectives, and content: The charge is to get as far as possible in planning a Simbios-sponsored course (or two) on physics-based simulation of biological structure, including both the molecular and macro levels. Ideally, this course might be for senior undergraduates (for example, in the Biomedical Computation independently designed major) and graduate students (in Bioengineering, CS, Biomedical Informatics, ME, etc.). What should be the learning objectives? What topics need to be covered? What are prerequisites? How many quarters are needed to do this well? What expertise needs to be present on the faculty? How should SimTK be included in laboratory activities? When can we plan on teaching this?
Summary
Session 2:
External software to prioritize for acquisition or integration into Simbios and why.
Simbios has been authorized in some cases to use funds to bring into SimTK important codes for physics-based simulation of biological structure that have been created by others. The advantages to this are twofold: first, it adds to the capabilities of SimTK faster, and second, it brings colleagues outside of Simbios into the program, thus creating a larger cadre of "supporters" of our efforts. The charge to this group is to create a list of priority areas (and particular target software packages) where SimTK should consider the acquisition and integration of software created by others. These can be from industry or academics. In addition, a prioritization of these target packages and a set of principles for how to identify them in the future would be very valuable. Finally, are there collaborations with external groups that we should vigorously pursue to bring them on board with Simbios?
Summary
Session 3:
Home run synthesis Organize the home runs presented in the plenary session (above).
Is there a clustering of these potential accomplishments that suggests thrust areas that we need to pursue? Are these achievements realistic? If there are too many good ones, what is the procedure for deciding? Can we organize into near-term, medium and long-term accomplishments?
Summary
Session 4:
Internal software development priorities The SimTK development team has limited programming resources to focus on (1) supporting the creation of core computational capabilities for Simbios as well as (2) building end-applications for application driving biological problems. What should be the procedure for setting internal development priorities? Should there be an emphasis on end-user applications in biological areas? Which ones should be stressed? Should there instead be an emphasis on infrastructural tools to enable others (post-docs, students, scientific staff, biological computation collaborators) to build their own applications, using SimTK infrastructure? Current areas of focus are: development of new multibody code, RNA structure modeling application, software tool set for neuromuscular modeling, the SimTK and Simbios web presence and software engineering support (G-forge, compiling on three platforms, optimizing numerical code for target platforms). Are there near, medium and short term internal development priorities that the SimTK team should address?
Summary
|
|