Summer, 2026, Cyberspace

Join us this summer on Zoom to present your research to the CDEV Community. We will host the seminar on the first Monday of the month from May to August (May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3). The session will consist of two 25-minute presentations, followed by questions. 

This is a great opportunity to hear exciting research and engage with the community, especially if you are unable to attend this year’s SMB Annual Meeting in Graz, Austria!

To join click here

Sincerely,

Your CDEV Subgroup Officers

Upcoming: 4th of May 2026 (12:00-13:00 CST)

Jianhua Xing (University of Pittsburgh)

Integration of single-cell data into dynamical systems theory modeling

Dynamical systems theories have long been applied in modeling cellular processes. Over the years, my lab has been developing theoretical and computational approaches for integrating high-throughput single-cell data into constructing data-driven mechanistic biophysics-based whole-cell models. We notice that it only takes a few minutes on a desktop to reconstruct a biophysical whole-cell model from scRNAseq data. Even without any prior knowledge as input, the model reveals detailed regulatory programs, and simulated trajectories even show cell cycle arrest at various cell cycle checkpoints. In this talk, I will introduce the framework we developed, then focus on recent developments.

Shohel Ahmed (University of Alberta)

Foraging Behavior in Ecological Dynamics: From Environmental Drivers to Behavioral Mechanisms

Foraging behavior is inherently flexible, with individuals adapting feeding strategies in response to environmental conditions such as resource availability and predation risk. We develop mechanistic models linking environmental drivers to behavioral responses in consumer–resource systems. First, we examine feedback between foraging intensity, resource density, and competition. We then incorporate continuous variation in behavioral phenotypes, capturing differences in individual boldness. Our results show that behavioral flexibility and trait variation can stabilize population dynamics, influence species coexistence, and enhance ecosystem resilience under environmental change.

To join click here