Systems Biology
Systems Biology brings concepts and skills from biochemistry, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, statistics and computer science to current problems in health, evolution, biotechnology and agriculture. Our graduates are prepared to apply knowledge across disciplinary boundaries to improve the quality of human life.
We recommend students in Systems Biology consider applying to the Integrated Science Curriculum.
Dr. John Tyson, founder of the Systems Biology program, gave a talk with the "Theory Zoom" seminar series at the Department of Systems Biology at Harvard Medical School. He described some of the roots of mathematical modeling in molecular systems biology, as he experienced the field over the last 50 years. Watch the talk here!
Systems Biology student, Meagan Todd, participated in a highly competitive summer REU at the University of Tennessee, sponsored by the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis. Read more about Meagan’s experience here!
Systems Biology in Practice
Computational cell biology looks to build accurate mathematical representations of controlled cell networks so that a computer can work out the precise implications of hypothetical molecular mechanisms.
How do we use mathematical equations in the production of medicine?
“DNA is the information code that gives us life, but what if it could hold the content of our life too? If we could encode data into DNA, then we could use DNA to store information just like computers.”
“In the last 20 years, we have undergone three major revolutions in biomedical research which allow people like me and my students to discover potential drug targets to treat cancer dressed in our PJs.”