What is systems biology
Systematic study of complex interactions in biological systems
Whats the goal of SB
To better understand entirety of the process that happens in a biological system
Is systems biology like the reductionist paradox
Opposite to reductionist paradox (looking at each component separately)
What does systems bio consider
Considers interactions and dynamics (complexity)
What are emergent properties
Properties of entire system that wouldn’t be evident if looking at individual component
What is an example of emergent properties
Ex. if looking at just serotonin, it would not allow us to describe our entire complex personality
What does SB incorporate
Genes to proteins to tissues to organ systems
Whats the main purpose of SB
Main purpose is to predict outcomes and responses in living system
Does SB include math?
Involves complex mathematical modeling. Referred to as bioinformatics
Define: geomics
Study of organisms complete set of DNA
Define: proteomics
Study of the set of all proteins produced within a biological unit; typically, this would be an organ, an organ system, or an entire organism
Define: metabolics
Study of metabolics within a given unit; eg. cell, tissue, organ, organism
Explain reductionist approach
- Isolated molecules (ex. Individual organ)
- Lots of control over experimental conditions
- Used to understand mechanism of action
- Don’t know what it means in vivo (living body)
Explain integrated approch
- Whole body or organism approach
- Less control over approach
- Viewed as les mechanistic (ie, what factor was the most important)
- More real world
Do reductionist and integration approch give same styles in outcomes
Sometimes using reduction vs integration in trials gives different outcomes
Example of trial with reductionist vs integrated approach
- Stimulation of fat oxidation with anti-obesity hormone, leptin
- Trial administered leptin to help with weight loss (reductionist approach)
- Trials were totally successful
- Obese and overweight people have become leptin resistant (integration approach)
Are BP easy to predict
BP’s are complex and sometimes difficult to predict
Are SB an integrated approach
SB is an integrated approach to better understand complexity of biology
How are chronic diseases best studied
Most chronic diseases are very complex, affecting may systems and are best studied with SB approach
