Systems Biology Approaches: Solving New Puzzles in a Symphonic Manner

The AfCS (Alliance for Cellular Signaling) endeavored to delineate the complex immune signaling systems and control networks by using systems biological approaches. We, the AfCS, have analyzed the changes in transcription and cytokine levels after the addition of multiple ligands in murine B cells and macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. We have also examined the fluctuations in cAMP, calcium and phosphoprotein, and measured protein–protein interactions and RNAi/drug perturbations. A time series examination of the combined effects of endogenous or exogenous ligands enabled the identification of signaling networks that are responsible for cellular signaling. Biological processes are driven by complex systems of functionally interacting macromolecules. Complex biological phenomena can be understood in terms of the interactions of these functional components, and the measurement of cellular responses after network perturbations can be used to probe connectivity and signaling system. Combined with current molecular biological tools, systems biological approaches are ideal for the description of signaling networks and the development of predictive/preventative medicine.

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