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Abstract
Biological processes occur within complex, vital physiological systems. Systems biology seeks to understand how physiological systems function as a whole, integrating information about interactions in a biological system through computer-assisted modeling, aiming to identify relationships not found within individual biological units. Coupled with advances in the life sciences and computing power, this research is yielding an enormous amount of information about specific targets of vital physiological processes, and enabling predictions about how these targets may respond to a disturbance or change in signaling. This information can be greatly beneficial in treating complex diseases. It also has extended the spectrum of potential threat agents to include bioregulators, which to a great extent regulate the functioning of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. There is potential for misuse of the knowledge gained from these studies, and improved methods of targeted delivery of biochemicals make them more feasible weapons agents. Moreover, biochemical security concerns in systems biology are embedded within the larger domain of cyberbiosecurity. There remains a need for proactive approaches to the formulation of biochemical-security-oversight policy that would encompass developments at this interface of the life sciences and information technology.
Notes
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8 In general, cytokines are biochemical components functioning as messengers of the immune system, promoting various functions of immune cells. Macrophages, for example, produce cytokines that promote inflammation. As long as the production is optimal, these cytokines help in the healing process after injury or infection. If, however, the production is too heavy (such as with the cytokine storm seen in some Covid-19 infections), the inflammation can be damaging.
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20 Adrenergic agents are substances that stimulate nerves in the sympathetic nervous system. Examples are adrenaline and the similar neurotransmitter noradrenaline. While adrenaline has more effect on the heart, noradrenaline has more effect on blood vessels.
21 Discussed in Straub et al., “Dialogue Between the CNS and the Immune System in Lymphoid Organs,” p. 409.
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28 Ibid.
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55 Ibid.
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