Mathematical models in biology: from molecules to life

Yiannis N. Kaznessis
2011 Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Systems Biology and Medicine  
A vexing question in the biological sciences is the following: can biological phenotypes be explained with mathematical models of molecules that interact according to physical laws? At the crux of the matter lies the doubt that humans can develop physically faithful mathematical representations of living organisms. We discuss advantages that synthetic biological systems confer that may help us describe life's distinctiveness with tractable mathematics that are grounded on universal laws of
more » ... odynamics and molecular biology. The second category of human capacity enhancement is augmentation. Augmentation is well exemplified with nuclear magnetic resonance instruments. There is no a priori human ability to detect the resonance of nuclear magnetic moments to an external magnetic field. NMR equipment gives humans instrumental access to physical phenomena beyond our unaided capacities. Analogously, calculus provides access to tractable mathematics and analytical solutions previously inaccessible to the human brain. Augmentation can then be considered as a qualitative shift in abilities. With results attainable only with calculus, the foundation can be solidly laid for theories that capture and explain physical phenomena. The development of gravitational theory, electromagnentic theory, or NIH Public Access
doi:10.1002/wsbm.142 pmid:21472998 pmcid:PMC3073512 fatcat:qh35uvdiefemnpl57ncqocexgq