Abstract
In this chapter we explore the characteristics underlying the development of mechanistic-based models of inflammation. The discussion covers the three basic arms of developing mechanistic models. We begin by exploring the likely experimental analogues producing critical information, we then review modeling alternatives for representing the biological system under study, and finally we review the key methods for executing the model and performing the required calculation. The discussion concludes with a brief overview of the challenges and opportunities in the context of bridging the gap between (mechanistic) disease and pharmacology models as we move towards more integrated systems pharmacology approaches with the ultimate goal of designing relevant in silico Clinical trials enabling rational extrapolation of bench observations.