Network-based Mathematical Modeling in Cell and Developmental Biology

Book excerpt: The vast amount of knowledge in Cell Signaling gathered through reductionist efforts and omics technology is poised to approach a Systems Biology understanding of precise representations of cell structure and function and predictions at multi-scale levels despite the complexity. Super-resolution microscopy and single cell analysis are also providing opportunities to explore both spatial and temporal landscapes. Notably, many basic biological processes have been studied capturing mechanistic detail with the goal to understand cellular proliferation and differentiation, gene regulation, morphogenesis, metabolism, and cell-cell communication. Similarly, at the intracellular level, addressing functions such as self-assembly, phase separation, and transport is leading to insights not readily understood as linear pathways. Therefore, network-based mathematical modeling, delineating dynamic biochemical reactions through ordinary and partial differential equations, promises to discover emergent biological properties not heretofore expected.