Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Studying Age-dependent Genomic Instability using the S. cerevisiae Chronological Lifespan Model
Published on: September 29, 2011
Computational systems biology of aging
Andres Kriete1, Mark Lechner, Drew Clearfield
1School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Bossone Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA. andres.kriete@drexel.edu
Abstract:
Computational systems biology is expected to make major contributions to unravel the complex molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of aging in cells, tissues, and organisms. The development of computational approaches is, however, challenged by a wide spectrum of aging mechanisms participating on different levels of biological organization. The tight connectivity between the molecular constituents, functions, and cell states requires frameworks and strategies that extend beyond current practice to model, simulate, and predict the progression of aging and the emerging aging phenotypes. We provide a general overview of the specific computational tasks and opportunities in aging research, and discuss some illustrative systems level concepts in more detail. One example provided here is the assembly of a conceptual whole cell model that considers the temporal dynamics of the aging process grounded on molecular mechanisms. Another application is the assembly of interactomes, such as protein networks that allow us to analyze changes in network topology and interaction of proteins that have been implicated in aging with other cellular constituents and processes. We introduce the necessary key steps to build these applications and discuss their merits and future extensions for aging research. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2011 3 414-428 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.126
Related Concept Videos
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Mitochondria
Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative Cell Senescence
Cellular Adaptation I: Introduction and Atrophy
