SYSTEMS BIOLOGY: A FOUR-STEP PROCESS

Systems biology focuses on the study of biological networks through the processes of network reconstruction, computer model formulation, hypothesis generation and experimentation. This chapter sets out to define systems biology and the technological driving forces that have enabled the field to emerge. In addition, the four core steps in systems biology are presented. The first two steps involve identifying components in biological networks and interactions between these components. The result of the first two steps is a network reconstruction: an accounting of all components and their interactions compromising the network. From this network reconstruction, an in silico model can be generated (step 3) which can be used to predict and analyze the behavior of biological systems (step 4). The chapter concludes with a discussion of systems biology applications, to address specific biological and industrial questions.