The immune system is inordinately complex with many interacting components determining overall outcomes. Mathematical and computational modelling provides a useful way in which the various contributions of different immunological components can be probed in an integrated manner. Here, we provide an introductory overview and review of mechanistic simulation models. We start out by briefly defining these types of models and contrasting them to other model types that are relevant to the field of immunology. We follow with a few specific examples and then review the different ways one can use such models to answer immunological questions. While our examples focus on immune responses to infection, the overall ideas and descriptions of model uses can be applied to any area of immunology.

中文翻译：

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免疫学家的仿真模型。

免疫系统非常复杂，许多相互作用的成分决定了总体结果。数学和计算建模提供了一种有用的方式，通过这种方式可以以集成方式探查不同免疫学成分的各种贡献。在这里，我们提供了机械仿真模型的介绍性概述和回顾。我们首先简要定义这些类型的模型，然后将它们与与免疫学领域相关的其他模型类型进行对比。我们以一些具体示例为例，然后回顾人们可以使用这些模型回答免疫学问题的不同方式。虽然我们的示例着重于对感染的免疫反应，但模型使用的整体思路和描述可以应用于免疫学的任何领域。