Integrating Systems Biology: From Networks to Mechanisms to Models

Conference Overview

Two facets of systems biology are the generation of increasingly comprehensive network maps of the physical and functional interactions between biomolecules in cells, and the development of quantitative models of processes based on a detailed mechanistic understanding of a given pathway. However, only for few biological processes the mechanistic knowledge is sufficient to enable quantitative modeling. On the other hand incorporating proteome-scale network-based connections into quantitative models is difficult, in part due missing knowledge on the functional effects, physiological context, and biological consequences of mapped interactions. At this conference we will discuss novel computational and experimental approaches to bridge this ‘mechanistic gap’ and hear about current trends in network mapping and analysis.

Aims

This conference serves as a European gathering point for the international network community and complements the biannual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Networks meeting. Beyond classic network mapping and analysis, the conference aims to bridge the practical gap between network biology and quantitative modelling by discussing novel computational and biochemical approaches to convert network connectivity into functional insights on the directions, signs, and physiological context of network interactions.

Who should attend?

The target audience encompasses systems biologists in network and quantitative systems biology, computational biologists, and classic biologists and biochemists who contribute critical knowledge on biological processes and biochemical assays. Participants will include established investigators, junior group leaders, and early-stage researchers, both at the postdoctoral and graduate student levels, with diverse backgrounds in experiemental and/or theoretical molecular networks.