Computational methods are playing an ever increasing role in cell biology.This volume of Methods in Cell Biology focuses on Computational Methods in Cell Biology and consists of two parts: (1) data extraction and analysis to distill models and mechanisms, and (2) developing and simulating models to make predictions and testable hypotheses.
Focuses on computational methods in cell biologySplit into 2 parts--data extraction and analysis to distill models and mechanisms, and developing and simulating models to make predictions and testable hypothesesEmphasizes the intimate and necessary connection with interpreting experimental data and proposing the next hypothesis and experiment "

Systems biology is defined for the purpose of this study as the understanding of biological network behaviors, and in particular their dynamic aspects, which requires the utilization of mathematical modeling tightly linked to experiment. This involves a variety of approaches, such as the identification and validation of networks, the creation of appropriate datasets, the development of tools for data acquisition and software development, and the use of modeling and simulation software in close linkage with experiment. All of these are discussed in this volume. Of course, the definition becomes ambiguous at the margins, but at the core is the focus on networks, which makes it clear that the goal is to understand the operation of the systems, rather than the component parts. It was concluded that the U.S. is currently ahead of the rest of the world in systems biology, largely because of earlier investment by funding organizations and research institutions.

This book explores Systems Biology as the understanding of biological network behaviors, and in particular their dynamic aspects, which requires the utilization of mathematical modeling tightly linked to experiment. A variety of approaches are discussed here: the identification and validation of networks, the creation of appropriate datasets, the development of tools for data acquisition and software development, and the use of modeling and simulation software in close concert with experiment.