Systems Biology (SB) is a suite of technologies and methodologies that resulted, conceptually from the merging of two basic paradigms, reductionism and holism. It represents a combination of reductionist and holistic approaches to the relationships among the elements of a system, with the goal of identifying its emergent properties and defining, quantitatively, molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and whole body processes. One manifestation of SB is as a tool for hypothesis generation about a system that is typically too large and complex to understand by simple reasoning.

Zusammenfassung

The US is currently well ahead of the rest of the world in the development and application of SB and its principles especially as they pertain to basic medical research and development. This lead is largely due to its earlier start in the academic arena. However, there is evidence of rapid development in both the UK/EU and Japan, and the gap is narrowing, particularly in the UK. From an industrial point of view, the Pharmaceutical Industry based in the US and UK can capitalize on these opportunities and gain the benefits of this technology. Many educational institutions (particularly their medical divisions) at present are heavily business-oriented, realize that in this particular industrial environment, that every dollar counts.

Inhalt

Abstract.- 1 Introduction: Discovery & Development - New Facet Of Industry, New Tools And Lead Optimization: 1.1 Scope And Content Of This Review.- 2 Discovery: Use Of Systems Biology For Identifying Targets.- 3 Integrative Systems Biology I - Biochemistry: Phase I Lead Discovery & Molecular Interactions.- 4 Integrative Systems Biology Ii - Molecular Biology: Phase 2 Lead Discovery & In Silico Screening.- 5. Discovery: Computational Systems Biology (Csb) In Health & And Disease I.- 6 Development: In Vivo Pharmacology - Systems Biology In Health & Disease Ii.- 7 Development: Pharmacokinetics Systems Biology In Health & Disease Iii.- 8 Development: Multiscale Csb Simulation Tools.- 9 Development: Drug Formulation & Delivery.- 10 Development: Preclinical Model Based Drug Development.- 11 Systems Biology: Impact On Pharma And Biotech.- 12 Acknowledgment.- 13 Bibliography.