Training

The analysis of biological networks and the development of dynamical models to understand their function are at the core of systems biology. They have facilitated the move from the identification of molecular ‘parts lists’ for living organisms towards the integration of information from different ‘omics’-based approaches with our knowledge on the underlying biochemical mechanisms, in order to generate and test new hypotheses about how biological systems work.

Run jointly with Wellcome Trust, this course will provide participants with an introduction to network analysis and an in-depth training in the main modelling approaches used in systems biology. The course will combine lectures, hands-on computational practical sessions and group activities, and there will be opportunity for discussion of current trends in the field.

• Network analysis and pathway Enrichment
• Qualitative Modelling: reconstruction, modelling and simulation of systems using logic approaches, and analysis of their dynamical properties
• Quantitiative Modelling: Chemical kinetics, constraint-based modelling and stochastic simulations, including spatial representations
• Model sharing: how to encode, annotate and distribute models

• Identify strengths and weaknesses in a variety of systems biology modelling approaches
• Use a range of bioinformatics and modelling software to develop predictive and mechanistic models
• Access, query and retrieve models from public repositories for systems biology
• Identify an appropriate modelling approach for a given biological question and dataset