Product Description

Genome sequences are now available that enable us to determine the biological components that make up a cell or an organism. The new discipline of systems biology examines how these components interact and form networks, and how the networks generate whole cell functions corresponding to observable phenotypes. This textbook describes how to model networks, determine their properties, and relate these to phenotypic functions. Some knowledge of linear algebra and biochemistry is required, since the book reflects the irreversible trend of increasing mathematical content in biology education.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #336726 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 334 pages

Review
'... [deserves] serious attention from any quantitative scientist or physicist who hopes to learn about modern biology. ... a welcome departure from the typical biology textbook. ... a very readable introduction to the subject ... this is an exciting time for biology. The author exposes readers to enough material that the research literature in quantitative systems biology should become accessible.' Physics Today

Review
"Systems Biology is a very readable introduction to the subject... make[s] it clear that this is an exciting time for biology."
Nigel Goldenfeld, Physics Today

About the Author
Bernhard Ø. Palsson, Professor of Bioengineering and Adjunct Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego.

Customer Reviews

Authoritative text on networks for systems biologists
This book should be read but anyone interested in biological data integration in general and in network methodology in particular. As an engineer by training I do appreciate a reasonably high level of coverage of mathematical topics. Yet the entire book is well written and textual explanations can be understood even by the readers who would not grasp mathematical descriptions. Multiple examples that illustrate discussed concepts and methods are of great help in understanding networks and network-based modeling techniques.
The coverage of systems biology is a bit simplistic (that's why I rate the book with 4 and not 5 stars.) Moreover the general issues concerning systems biology are so convincingly written, that there is a risk of misguiding some readers into unintended directions. Having said that I believe this book is useful as a SUPPLEMENTARY text for the readers who wish to learn systems biology. I believe these readers should read this book along with an authoritative expositions of relational biology such as for instance Essays on Life Itself or a serious text in general systems theory for systems biology such as for instance Systems Biology: Principles, Methods, and Concepts.

In summary: Palsson's book is outstanding as an introduction to network-based methods in biology but a bit misleading as an essay on systems biology.

Interesting text on networks
The book is well written and explains technical aspects of using networks in various areas of traditional life sciences. Interestingly the author attempts to distinguish between "reductionist" and "integrative" biology. However by most of accepted standards and definitions the author's meaning of "integrative" is ALSO REDUCTIONIST (for a competent discussion of reductionism in biology see authoritative works such as What Makes Biology Unique?: Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific Discipline (Law in Context S.) or Systems Biology: Principles, Methods, and Concepts). The coverage of technical aspects of using network methods is excellent but the general discussion of methodology is flawed.
I believe the book could be recommended to individuals who wish to understand reconstructed networks. However, I would not recommend it as a text on systems biology because it can cause a lot of confusion that otherwise could be avoided.

A great review of network reconstructions
While this may not be an all encompassing review of what systems biology is, it provides an insightful view on network reconstruction. I've found this book very helpful and well written (being a first edition, it does have a few typos, but this is normal). It has a very logical flow, but it is written on the level of a professional or graduate student interested in entering the field of systems biology.