Dynamics of biological systems: role of systems biology in medical research

Abstract

Cellular systems are networks of interacting components that change with time in response to external and internal events. Studying the dynamic behavior of these networks is the basis for an understanding of cellular functions and disease mechanisms. Quantitative time-series data leading to meaningful models can improve our knowledge of human physiology in health and disease, and aid the search for earlier diagnoses, better therapies and a healthier life. The advent of systems biology is about to take the leap into clinical research and medical applications. This review emphasizes the importance of a dynamic view and understanding of cell function. We discuss the potential for computer-aided mathematical modeling of biological systems in medical research with examples from some of the major therapeutic areas: cancer, cardiovascular, diabetic and neurodegenerative medicine.

Keywords::

• computer simulation
• dynamic behavior
• mathematical modeling
• predictive medicine
• systems biology

Acknowledgements

Heike Assmus is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) grant 01GR0475 as part of the National Genome Research Network (NGFN-2). The responsibility for the content lies with the authors. We thank the referees for their comments and apologize to the many investigators whose important studies could not be cited directly here owing to space limitations.