Systems Biology

Systems Biology
 

Systems Biology deals with mathematical models of biological processes at various levels, from the detailed description of the kinetics of a specific pathway to the analysis of genome-scale complex networks. We work at several of these aspects and we collaborate with several groups in SISSA and outside. Just to mention a few collaborations within SISSA, we are building kinetic models of prion replication together with G. Legname and its Prion Biology Lab, and we are studying sensory adaptation (olfaction and vision) with the groups of A. Menini and V. Torre.

Another challenging area in which we are currently involved is in studying dynamical properties on large-scale biological systems, such as transcriptional, signaling and metabolic networks. How "ordered" (or "chaotic") is the response of a transcriptional network to a stimulus/perturbation? Is it possible to study equilibria and attractors with our current knowledge of the details of these networks? How do we infer gene regulations from compendia of expression profiles? Can our models help in understanding the effect of drugs in a more systematic way?

written by Claudio Altafini This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.