A First Course in Systems Biology

by Eberhard O. Voit, Melissa L. Kemp

A First Course in Systems Biology is an introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate students to the growing field of systems biology. Its main focus is the development of computational models and their applications to diverse biological systems. The book begins with the fundamentals of modeling, then reviews features of the molecular inventories that bring biological systems to life and discusses case studies that represent some of the frontiers in systems biology and synthetic biology. In this way, it provides the reader with a comprehensive background and access to methods for executing standard systems biology tasks, understanding the modern literature, and launching into specialized courses or projects that address biological questions using theoretical and computational means.

New topics in this edition include: default modules for model design, limit cycles and chaos, parameter estimation in Excel, model representations of gene regulation through transcription factors, derivation of the Michaelis-Menten rate law from the original conceptual model, different types of inhibition, hysteresis, a model of differentiation, system adaptation to persistent signals, nonlinear nullclines, PBPK models, and elementary modes.

The format is a combination of instructional text and references to primary literature, complemented by sets of small-scale exercises that enable hands-on experience, and large-scale, often open-ended questions for further reflection.

Genres: Science, Biology, Textbooks

518 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2012

Reviews

[Edma · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was the first time I was introduced to this kind of approach in biology and computational science. I think that it is very helpful for medical life science students, like myself, but also for bio-statistical or bioinformatics students. it gives an insight on how biological models can be stimulated virtually and how every reaction can be induced virtually in seconds. Every pathway and organism can be modeled and then run, so we can compare the outcome of the sys bio experiments done virtually, with the ones we conduct in lab.
It is a very interesting field, and can overcome so many difficulties we have now days with comprehending certain processes, but still it is an evolving and novel science.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coverage of broad array of systems biology topics. The case studies were interesting (making these interactive could be a big step forward). The bibliography is extensive and worth having for long term reference. Unlike Alon's introduction this takes a neutral approach and reviews / contrasts a wide variety of approaches. IMO it succeeds as an introductory first course.