Modeling Biological Networks

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IV. BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS

IV.1 COORDINATORS:

P. Cherbas (Dept. of Biology and CGB, IUB), A.-L. Barabasi (Dept. of Physics, ND).

IV.2 PARTICIPANTS:

M. Alber (Dept. of Mathematics, ND), J. Andrews (CGB, IUB), B. Baker (Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, ND), H. Edenberg (CMG, IU Medical), G. Forgacs (Dept. of Physics, University of Missouri), M. Grow (CMG, IU Medical), G. Hentschel (Dept. of Physics, Emory University), E. Housworth (Depts. of Mathematics and Biology, IUB), J. Izaguirre (Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, ND), S. Kim (School of Informatics, CGB, IUB), D. Maki (Dept. of Mathematics, IUB), Z. Oltvai (Dept. of Pathology, Northwestern University School of Medicine), R. A. Raff (Dept. of Biology, IUB), and B. Wanner (Dept. of Biological Sciences, Purdue University).

IV.3 INTRODUCTION:

Complex biological functions in living organisms rarely depend on single components. Complex networks govern most functional properties, creating webs of diverse interactions. Networks emerge at different organizational levels, ranging from metabolic and regulatory networks within the cell to intercellular networks. Only recently have we had data on components' interactions which are complete, detailed, and reliable enough to allow systematic characterization of functional networks. Network topology reveals general organizing principles which shed light on network function. Our aim is to combine the expertise of multiple investigators to explain the architecture of biological networks at every level from data acquisition to analysis. Our efforts will bring together scientists who study genetic interactions during development, collect gene expression data, analyze sequences by statistical methods, and develop tools to characterize the topology, function, and dynamics of metabolic, regulatory, and protein interaction networks. We expect this mixture of skills and interests to exhibit considerable synergy, providing both students and faculty with opportunities to cross the boundaries between data collection, database inquiries, and mathematical and statistical analysis.