STA 290 Seminar: Vladimir Filkov (Computer Science, UC Davis)

Statistics Seminar: STA 290

Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at
4.10pm, MSB 1147 (Colloquium Room)

Speaker:   Vladimir Filkov (Computer Science, UC Davis)

Title:       From Architecture to Function in Biological Networks  

Abstract:
Biological networks encode complex molecular systems into convenient structural
representations enabling their analysis and understanding. The architecture of
these networks is often related to observable phenomena, and to biological
function. Studying the connection between biological network architecture and
their function is made possible by novel methods enabling correct statistical
and combinatorial accounting of topological features in the network systems.


Here I describe a set of tools and techniques that help us do that, together
with results and insights from our studies. The techniques described come from
various scientific disciplines that have had to deal with networked systems for
some time, like social sciences, statistical mechanics, and complex network
theory among others. In all case we have adapted these tools to biological
network analysis and either extended or improved upon them.

Bio:         Dr. Vladimir Filkov is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at UC Davis. His research focuses on developing models and computational methods for the study of complex systems, primarily in molecular biology and bioinformatics (e.g. biological networks), but also in software engineering and social sciences. He has published in top journals and conferences in bioinformatics, software engineering and physics.