title: Using lazy evaluation to simulate realistic-size repertoires in models of the immune system.
abstract: We describe a method of implementing efficient computer simulations of immune systems that have a large number of unique B- and/or T-cell clones. The method uses an implementation technique called lazy evaluation to create the illusion that all clones are being simulated, while only actually simulating a much smaller number of clones that can respond to the antigens in the simulation. The method is effective because only 0.001-0.01% of clones can typically be stimulated by an antigen, and because many simulations involve only a small number of distinct antigens. A lazy simulation of a realistic number of clones and 10 distinct antigens is 1000 times faster and 10,000 times smaller than a conventional simulation--making simulations of immune systems with realistic-size repertoires computationally tractable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA. dsmith@cs.unm.edu
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ackley
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Perelson
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D012986:Software Validation
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell