The Journal of Biological Physics and Chemistry

Modelling and simulation of the kidney

S. Randall Thomas

Mathematical modelling has long served as a valuable tool for understanding the many integrated functions of the kidney. We will present an overview of two among the many modelling techniques that have been used at several scales, including channel and transporter kinetics, fluid and solute uptake and secretion by the various segments of the nephron, control of glomerular filtration rate by tubuloglomerular feedback, and several types of models treating the exchanges and recycling of fluid and solutes among the nephrons and blood vessels within the different regions of the renal medulla. We will also describe the Renal Physiome project, an international effort that is under active development to provide quantitative databases and modelling resources for renal physiology.