Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
07:26
BioMEMS: Forging New Collaborations Between Biologists and Engineers
Published on: November 1, 2007
Biological networks: the tinkerer as an engineer
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel 76100. urialon@weizmann.ac.il
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 27, 2003
Summary
Biological networks surprisingly utilize "good-engineering" principles, discovered through random evolutionary processes. This research explores the design logic behind complex biochemical circuitry.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Systems Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Biological networks are crucial for cellular function.
- Understanding their design principles is a key challenge in systems biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comment on recent advances in understanding biological network design.
- To highlight the discovery of engineering principles in evolved biochemical systems.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of recent findings.
- Conceptual analysis of evolutionary processes in network design.
Main Results:
- Biochemical circuitry exhibits surprising "good-engineering" principles.
- These principles appear to have evolved through random tinkering and natural selection.
Conclusions:
- Evolutionary processes can lead to efficient and "well-engineered" biological networks.
- Further research into these design principles can illuminate fundamental aspects of life.
Related Concept Videos
02:26Protein Networks
An organism can have thousands of different proteins, and these proteins must cooperate to ensure the health of an organism. Proteins bind to other proteins and form complexes to carry out their functions. Many proteins interact with multiple other proteins creating a complex network of protein interactions.
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
These interactions can be represented through maps depicting protein-protein interaction networks, represented as nodes and edges. Nodes are circles that are representative of a protein,...
02:55Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
01:24Sequence Networks of Rotating Machines
A Y-connected synchronous generator, grounded through a neutral impedance, is designed to produce balanced internal phase voltages with only positive-sequence components. The generator's sequence networks include a source voltage that is exclusively in the positive-sequence network. The sequence components of line-to-ground voltages at the generator terminals illustrate this configuration.
Zero-sequence current induces a voltage drop across the generator's neutral impedance and other...
Zero-sequence current induces a voltage drop across the generator's neutral impedance and other...