Opportunities and Challenges in Building a Spatiotemporal Multi-scale Model of the Human Pancreatic β Cell

The construction of a predictive model of an entire eukaryotic cell that describes its dynamic structure from atomic to cellular scales is a grand challenge at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science. Having such a model will open new dimensions in biological research and accelerate healthcare advancements. Developing the necessary experimental and modeling methods presents abundant opportunities for a community effort to realize this goal. Here, we present a vision for creation of a spatiotemporal multi-scale model of the pancreatic beta-cell, a relevant target for understanding and modulating the pathogenesis of diabetes.