On the optimization of initial conditions for a model parameter estimation

summary:The design of an experiment, e.g., the setting of initial conditions, strongly influences the accuracy of the process of determining model parameters from data. The key concept relies on the analysis of the sensitivity of the measured output with respect to the model parameters. Based on this approach we optimize an experimental design factor, the initial condition for an inverse problem of a model parameter estimation. Our approach, although case independent, is illustrated at the FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) experimental technique. The core idea resides in the maximization of a sensitivity measure, which depends on the initial condition. Numerical experiments show that the discretized optimal initial condition attains only two values. The number of jumps between these values is inversely proportional to the value of a diffusion coefficient $D$ (characterizing the biophysical and numerical process). The smaller value of $D$ is, the larger number of jumps occurs