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Systems biology: an approach
P Kohl1, E J Crampin, T A Quinn
1Department of Physiology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. peter.kohl@dpag.ox.ac.uk
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|June 10, 2010
Summary
Systems Biology has rapidly emerged as a key research approach, enabling the study of complex biological systems and phenotypes. This approach is crucial for understanding biological functions and has significant utility in biomedical research and development.
Area of Science:
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Genomics
Background:
- Systems Biology has evolved from a concept to a major research focus within a decade.
- Numerous research institutions and funding initiatives now prioritize Systems Biology.
- Over 90% of Systems Biology publications appeared in the last five years, indicating rapid growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define Systems Biology as a research approach rather than a distinct field.
- To demonstrate the productivity of this approach across various biological complexity levels.
- To explore the conceptual links between Systems Biology, genomes, and biochemical networks.
Main Methods:
- Interpreting Systems Biology as a methodological approach.
- Analyzing systems behavior and phenotypes at multiple levels of complexity.
- Discussing the conceptual relationship to genomics and biochemical networks.
Main Results:
- Systems Biology effectively facilitates the exploration of "phenotypes" across all structural and functional complexities.
- The approach is conceptually linked to genomes and biochemical networks.
- Models play a central role in Systems Biology research.
Conclusions:
- Systems Biology is a productive approach for understanding complex biological systems.
- The utility of Systems Biology models in biomedical research and development is significant.
- This approach offers valuable insights into biological functions from molecular to supracellular levels.
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