Computational or in silico modeling is a subset of systems biology that is concerned with integrating large datasets using complex data structures and algorithms to accurately recreate the behaviour of a system. It is used to determine how the internal components of complex biological systems interact with each other and with external systems. Computational modeling approaches have been applied to a number of biological systems at a variety of spatial and temporal scales to complement and enhance experimental research. For example Computational modeling approaches are currently used in design and development of the next generation of cardiac pacemakers. Despite the attractive prospects of applying Computational modeling systems in understanding complex events leading to conception and development of embryo, the application of in silico modeling to reproductive medicine is still in its infancy. In recent years we have tried to advance development of an in silico model of gamete interaction with female reproductive tract in our laboratory by creating a 3-D model of oviduct. Integration of this 3-D model with simple sperm movements has created a relatively simple in silico model that can help us to understand sperm transport in the female reproductive tract. We hope progression in this field will allow us to create simulations that are more complex and incorporate different factors in their predictions of sperm movements. These simulations will help us in understanding sperm transport within female reproductive tract and will be the first steps in reaching the ultimate goal of this project that is to predict the milieu of reproductive tract at the time of conception.

Optogenetics is an advanced optical tool in neuroscience research. However, light stimulation in optogenetic experiments may also affect neural function by generating heat. In this paper, the effect of increasing the temperature of the brain tissue was studied during light stimulation. The Hodgkin-Huxley model and the hippocampal pyramidal cell model have been used to investigate the effect of temperature on spike neurons. The modeling results show that irradiation of brain tissue by pulsed laser with a frequency of 40 Hz, the duty cycle of 90% and wavelength of 593 nm at a distance of 10 μ, m from the tip of the fiber, for 60 seconds with a power of 1 and 40 mW leads to the temperature change from 37 °, C to 39 °, C. The obtained results show that the laser intensity decreases to zero at a distance of 1 mm from the tip of a fiber, which is absorbed by the tissue and causes a temperature rise of 2 °, C that can increase the spike rate of neurons by 16. 6%.