About us

What is Systems Biology?

Systems biology is a multidiscipline biology-based scientific field that focuses on the characterisation and mapping of the interactions between the elements in a biological system. It promises to unravel the complexity of the cell through the use of models that predict biological behaviour.

SBI harnesses this knowledge to develop novel approaches for drug target identification, personalised medicine and toxicity profiles. Systems biology also has the potential through predictive models to assist in early decision making in the drug discovery and development processes. Developments in the area of stem cell therapies have had a major positive impact on the treatment of leukaemia through bone marrow transplants and it is anticipated that technologies derived through stem cell research at SBI will be used to treat a wider variety of diseases including cancer, spinal cord injuries and other nervous system disorders.

The interdisciplinary nature of systems biology holds the promise for significant advances in science beyond the boundaries of individual disciplines. Transforming biology to systems biology requires a combinatorial approach drawing on expertise from distinct but complementary scientific disciplines, towards quantitative analysis and predictive modelling. The main hurdle is that the separate disciplines differ in their terminology; thinking and scientific culture and the students are normally segregated.

Lee Hood from the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle was kind enough to record this inspirational video for the launch of SBI.