A QUALITATIVE PROCESS THEORY-BASED MODEL OF THE HTV-1 VIRUS-CELL INTERACTION

We present a qualitative model of the interaction between the HIV-1 vi rus and the human cell, based on qualitative process theory. This mode l takes into account a previous qualitative model of the cell growth. The model presented here can be regarded as a first step for setting u p a comprehensive model of the HIV-1 virus-cell interaction in which t he possible points where a drug can attack the virus are evident. The first simulation trials indicate that the presented model reproduces ( even though in a simplified way) the features of the real behaviour th at have been considered in the modelling phase. Although our simulatio n is limited in the knowledge it expresses, it still gives a stimulati ng opportunity for the evaluation of the criteria chosen as discrimina nt in the interaction between virus and cell.