Model-driven data collection for biological systems

For biological experiments aiming at calibrating models with unknown parameters, a good experimental design is crucial, especially for those subject to various constraints, such as financial limitations, time consumption and physical practicability. In this paper, we discuss a sequential experimental design based on information theory for parameter estimation and apply it to two biological systems. Two specific issues are addressed in the proposed applications, namely the determination of the optimal sampling time and the optimal choice of observable. The optimal design, either sampling time or observable, is achieved by an information-theoretic sensitivity analysis. It is shown that this is equivalent with maximizing the mutual information and contrasted with non-adaptive designs, this information theoretic strategy provides the fastest reduction of uncertainty.