How can we fully realize the potential of mathematical and biological model systems to re-integrate biology?

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Dornhaus, Anna R. Smith, Brian Hristova, Kalina Buckley, Lauren B.
Copyright Year	2019
Abstract	Both mathematical models and biological model systems stand as tractable representatives of complex biological systems or behaviors. They facilitate research and provide insights, and they can describe general rules; in fact, models that represent biological processes or formalize general hypotheses are essential to any broad understanding. But at the same time, models either mathematical or biological do not represent all the detail of the natural system (although the degree of abstraction varies) and thus may ultimately be incorrect representations. A key challenge is that this is not just 'noise': models can be incorrect in their qualitative, broad implications if those details matter (e.g. Fussman & Blasius 2005). Our paper discusses this tension, and how we can improve our inferences from both mathematical models and biological model systems (e.g. organisms like C. elegans, Drosophila, or Arabadopsis in controlled environments; or even purified proteins in buffers, lipid bilayer membrane models, etc.; to some degree, most lab experiments can be seen as abstracted versions of the natural world). We advocate for further efforts dedicated to model development, improvement, and acceptance by the scientific community, all of which may necessitate a more explicit discussion of the purpose and power of models.
File Format	PDF HTM / HTML
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://reintegratingbiology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Modelling-is-Key-to-Integration-Anna-Dornhaus.pdf
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article