Complex systems biology.
review · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 28931638.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1098/rsif.2017.0391 and PMC identifier 5636275.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Complex systems theory is concerned with identifying and characterizing common design elements that are observed across diverse natural, technological and social complex systems. Systems biology, a more holistic approach to study molecules and cells in biology, has advanced rapidly in the past two decades. However, not much appreciation has been granted to the realization that the human cell is an exemplary complex system. Here, I outline general design principles identified in many complex systems, and then describe the human cell as a prototypical complex system. Considering concepts of complex systems theory in systems biology can illuminate our overall understanding of normal cell physiology and the alterations that lead to human disease.
Medical subject headings
- Models, Biological
- Systems Biology