systems biology

[Jerry Zhu <***>]

RR is described as a theoretical biologist.  I wonder
if anyone here can characterize what is theorectical
biology, its history and main contributors and the
uniqueness of RR. I think this is the way to know RR
by knowing the world.

Great advance is seen in recent years in molecular
biology particular in genome sequencing and
high-throughput measurements that enable us collect
comprehensive data sets on system performance and gain
information underlying molecules.  There are articles
in Science about systems biology that is system level
analysis to be grounded in molecular-level
understanding.  It says that a cellular system is not
just assembly of genes and proteins and its properties
can not be understood by drawing diagrams of DNA
segments and connections.  Realized that sytsems
properties are not reducible to the parts, systems
biology mimic systems thinking in engineering and
soical socience by creating genetic regulatory
networks.  the goal is to discover detail cell
regulation, such as signal-transduction cascads and
molecules to provide system-level insights into
cellular mechanism for new applications in
pharmaceutical and medicine practice.  It is said that
systems biology holds potential benefits  in both
theoretical and practical terms. A transition from
molecular level to systems level provides promises to
revolutionalize our understanding of complex
biological regulatory systems and lead pratical
applications.  

I'd like to see what is the stance from Rosen's view.

Jerry


                
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