Analyzing and Interrogating Biological Networks (Abstract)

Abstract

High-throughput experimental and computational approaches to characterize proteins and their interactions have resulted in large-scale biological networks for many organisms, from bacteria to yeast to human. These complex networks are comprised of a number of distinct types of interactions: these include interactions between proteins that interact physically, that participate in a synthetic lethal or epistatic relationship, that are coexpressed, or where one phosphorylates or regulates another. Though incomplete and noisy, these networks provide a holistic view of the functioning of the cell and, with appropriate computational analysis and experimental work, have significant potential for helping to uncover cellular principles as well as protein functions and pathways.