An Introduction to Systems Biology: Design Principles of Biological Circuits ; Systems Biology: Properties of Reconstructed Networks

Abstract

One answer is the emergence of a new science of biological circuits, or systems biology, which has become advanced enough, both scientifically and promotionally, that textbooks are warranted. Uri Alon’s An Introduction to Systems Biology: Design Principles of Biological Circuits and Bernhard Ø. Palsson’s Systems Biology: Properties of Reconstructed Networks are two recent offerings by leaders in this new field. These texts deserve serious attention from any quantitative scientist or physicist who hopes to learn about modern biology. Both books are well written; each has a different focus. Thus they could be used together to create an accessible course for beginners, with the instructor’s choice of topics from each book.