Customer Reviews

Systems Biology: Properties of Reconstructed Networks

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book should be read but anyone interested in biological data integration in general and in network methodology in particular. As an engineer by training I do appreciate a reasonably high level of coverage of mathematical topics. Yet the entire book is well written and textual explanations can be understood even by the readers who would not grasp mathematical descriptions. Multiple examples that illustrate discussed concepts and methods are of great help in understanding networks and network-based modeling techniques.
The coverage of systems biology is a bit simplistic (that's why I rate the book with 4 and not 5 stars.) Moreover the general issues concerning systems biology are so convincingly written, that there is a risk of misguiding some readers into unintended directions. Having said that I believe this book is useful as a SUPPLEMENTARY text for the readers who wish to learn systems biology. I believe these readers should read this book along with an authoritative expositions of relational biology such as for instance Essays on Life Itself or a serious text in general systems theory for systems biology such as for instance Systems Biology: Principles, Methods, and Concepts.

In summary: Palsson's book is outstanding as an introduction to network-based methods in biology but a bit misleading as an essay on systems biology.

The book is well written and explains technical aspects of using networks in various areas of traditional life sciences. Interestingly the author attempts to distinguish between "reductionist" and "integrative" biology. However by most of accepted standards and definitions the author's meaning of "integrative" is ALSO REDUCTIONIST (for a competent discussion of reductionism in biology see authoritative works such as What Makes Biology Unique?: Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific Discipline (Law in Context S.) or Systems Biology: Principles, Methods, and Concepts). The coverage of technical aspects of using network methods is excellent but the general discussion of methodology is flawed.
I believe the book could be recommended to individuals who wish to understand reconstructed networks. However, I would not recommend it as a text on systems biology because it can cause a lot of confusion that otherwise could be avoided.

While this may not be an all encompassing review of what systems biology is, it provides an insightful view on network reconstruction. I've found this book very helpful and well written (being a first edition, it does have a few typos, but this is normal). It has a very logical flow, but it is written on the level of a professional or graduate student interested in entering the field of systems biology.