1. Systems Biology of Inflammation A systems biology approach is an iterative process that includes: identification of component parts and interactions. integration of the information into a model of system behavior (usually a mathematical model). experimental testing of the model. refinement of the model based on experimental results.

2. Systems biology identifies properties that haven’t been predicted, using knowledge of component parts. Some aspects of inflammation that can be addressed using a systems biology approach include: triggers of inflammation. cytokine/chemokine networks. resolution/control of inflammation. genetic or regulatory networks.

3. Bioinformatics and Computation Systems Biology: Ron Germain (NIAID) If a gene is knocked down, what is the quantitative impact? Systems Biology: critical components Proteomics (in order to obtain quantitative effects of modifying the system). Sensible construction: cannot measure everything at once. Must consider what is useful at each time. A good assay, so that most of the components can be studied by knocking them down, individually. Solid literature search to: obuild the model. oidentify negative regulators, to test the model.

4. Systems Biology Approaches: Organizing the multidisciplinary team Team approach requires leadership from the top. Interaction is more important than physical proximity. Involvement of statisticians in microarray analysis is critical. Newer generation of scientists may be more amenable to team approach, but this attitude change must be matched by promotion committees. Challenges Recruiting biologists to test models developed by others (risky use of grant funds). Cost/benefit assessment of the effort to create, validate, and test a model with minimal number of available components.