Gene Regulatory Network Dynamical Logical Models for Plant Development.

Mathematical and computational approaches that integrate and model the concerted action of multiple genetic and nongenetic components holding highly nonlinear interactions are fundamental for the study of developmental processes. Among these, gene regulatory network (GRN) dynamical models are very useful to understand how diverse types of regulatory constraints restrict the multigene expression patterns that characterize different cell fates. In this chapter we present a hands-on approach to model GRN dynamics, taking as a working example a well-curated and experimentally grounded GRN developmental module proposed by our group: the flower organ specification gene regulatory network (FOS-GRN).

Case Studies.

The aim of this chapter is to illustrate the modeling procedures discussed in the previous chapter via three well-chosen examples.

Modeling Procedures.

Being concerned by the understanding of the mechanism underlying chronic degenerative diseases , we presented in the previous chapter the medical systems biology conceptual framework that we present for that purpose in this volume. More specifically, we argued there the clear advantages offered by a state-space perspective when applied to the systems-level description of the biomolecular machinery that regulates complex degenerative diseases. We also discussed the importance of the dynamical interplay between the risk factors and the network of interdependencies that characterizes the biochemical, cellular, and tissue-level biomolecular reactions that underlie the physiological processes in health and disease.

Medical Systems Biology.

The aim of this volume is to encourage the use of systems-level methodologies to contribute to the improvement of human-health . We intend to motivate biomedical researchers to complement their current theoretical and empirical practice with up-to-date systems biology conceptual approaches. Our perspective is based on the deep understanding of the key biomolecular regulatory mechanisms that underlie health, as well as the emergence and progression of human-disease .