About us
Biology deals with phenomena that are intrinsically more complex and more difficult to investigate than those normally studied in other natural sciences. In recent years, systems biology has led to important insights into many fundamental questions using mathematical and computational modelling as a research tool. Systems biology is a multidisciplinary approach to study biological phenomena by integrating research techniques and methodologies from biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics and computer science. We are interested in applying systems biology techniques to study complex biochemical pathways and networks, and the early stages of development of the embryo.
The types of problems that we work on include: understanding pattern formation events in early development; studying theoretical complex enzyme catalysed reactions in vitro and in vivo; exploring the response of cells to chemotactic signals; developing multiscale model of tumour development to understand the effects of chemo- and radiotherapies; development of biochemical theories for understanding the origin of life. All these examples are characterised by complex multiscale and nonlinear feedback mechanisms and it is now being increasingly recognised that the outcome of such interactions can only be understood through mathematical and computational models.
The Systems Biology laboratory embodies mathematicians, physicists, chemists and biologists from different fields, emphasising lively and multidisciplinary teamwork with other research groups within the university, the USA and abroad. For example, we presently have joint collaborations with the Centre for Mathematical Biology (University of Oxford, UK), the Systems Analysis, Modelling and Prediction Group at the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, the Bioengineering Institute (University of Auckland, New Zealand), the Institute for Theoretical Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology Department (University of Lyon, France), the Stowers Institute for Medical Research (USA), Department of Chemical Engineering (Purdue University, USA), Department of Chemistry ( University of Lethbridge, Canada) and the Physics Center (Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Venezuela). The Systems Biology group has an intensive programme, with an average of four postdoctoral researchers, four senior academic visitors and about four graduate students at any one time.
Systems Biology group activities have been funded by a number of bodies, including the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the Wellcome Trust, Indiana University School of Informatics and the Office for the Vice President for Research of Indiana University. We have details of these grants.