Research
On March 28, 2009, I officially graduated and became Doctor Moss.
My main area of research is the modelling and analysis of emergent dynamics in complex systems, through the use of networks and graph automata. My PhD thesis concerned the study of such dynamics in the kidney. I have also worked on methods to improve the reliability of software components in safety-critical systems.
I can be contacted via email: rgm AT csse | unimelb | edu | au
Publications
Discrete
network models of interacting nephrons
Physica D, 238(22): 2166–2176, Nov 2009.
Multi-nephron systems incorporate two competing coupling
mechanisms—vascular and hemodynamic—that enforce in-phase
and anti-phase synchronisations respectively. Using a two-nephron
model, we show that the strength of the hemodynamic coupling mechanism
and the arterial blood pressure have equivalent effects on the model.
The model is then used to demonstrate the interactions that arise
between the two coupling mechanisms. We conclude by arguing that our
approach is scalable to large numbers of nephrons, based on the
performance characteristics of the model.
A computational model for
emergent dynamics in the kidney
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A, 367(1896): 2125–2140, Jun 2009.
Concepts from network automata are adapted and extended to model complex
biological systems. Specifically, systems of nephrons, the operational units of
the kidney, are modelled and the dynamics of such systems are explored. A
network model is used to investigate the stability of systems of nephrons and
interactions between nephrons. The intrinsic nephron control, tubuloglomerular
feedback, is included and the effects of coupling between nephrons are explored
in 2-, 8- and 72-nephron models.
The Virtual Kidney: an
e-Science interface and Grid Portal
Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A, 367(1896): 2141–2159, Jun 2009.
The Virtual Kidney uses a web interface and distributed computing to provide
experimental scientists and analysts with access to computational simulations
and knowledge databases hosted in geographically separated laboratories. Users
can explore a variety of complex models without requiring the specific
programming environment in which applications have been developed.
Thesis
A Clockwork Kidney: Using hierarchical dynamical networks to
model emergent dynamics in the kidney
Ph.D. Thesis, Sep 2008.
The aim of this thesis is to provide a modelling approach and simulation
framework that allows for emergent dynamics in multi-nephron systems to be
studied. The ultimate intent of this research is to provide an approach to
renal modelling that is capable of predicting whole-kidney function from the
dynamics of individual nephrons, and can therefore be of practical use to
clinicians. This work demonstrates that, for the first time, simulation of
whole-kidney function from the dynamics of individual nephrons is tractable.
Furthermore, the work provides a basis for predicting emergent effects of
localised renal disease. With the continued development of this model, we hope
that significant insight will be gained into the onset, progression and
treatment of renal diseases.
Available in the University of Melbourne e-Prints Repository.