ESTIpop

ESTIpop estimates parameters and simulates continuous-time Markov branching processes (CTMBPs) to analyze asexually reproducing cell population dynamics.

Key Features:

• R implementation: Provided as an R package for computation with CTMBPs.
• CTMBP modeling: Supports continuous-time Markov branching processes relevant to asexually reproducing cell populations.
• Likelihood-based parameter estimation: Estimates parameters using a likelihood function derived from time series data on cell counts.
• Central Limit Theorem for multitype processes: Leverages the Central Limit Theorem for multitype branching processes to enable estimation when analytical methods are intractable.
• Approximation-based simulation: Employs approximation techniques to run simulations faster than exact methods while producing comparable results.

Scientific Applications:

• Parameter inference for CTMBPs: Infer branching-process parameters from time series cell-count data.
• Modeling cell population dynamics: Analyze dynamics of asexually reproducing cell populations using CTMBP frameworks.
• Simulation for method development and comparison: Generate approximate simulations to compare methods and explore parameter effects when exact simulation is computationally costly.

Methodology:

Parameter estimation uses a likelihood function derived from time series of cell counts, applying the Central Limit Theorem for multitype branching processes, and simulations use approximation techniques to accelerate computation relative to exact methods.