Description: The science of complex biological networks is transforming research in areas ranging from evolutionary biology to medicine. This is the first book on the subject, providing a comprehensive introduction to complex network science and its biological applications. With contributions from key leaders in both network theory and modern cell biology, this book discusses the network science that is increasingly foundational for systems biology and the quantitative understanding of living systems. It surveys studies in the quantitative structure and dynamics of genetic regulatory networks, molecular networks underlying cellular metabolism, and other fundamental biological processes. The book balances empirical studies and theory to give a unified overview of this interdisciplinary science. It is a key introductory text for graduate students and researchers in physics, biology and biochemistry, and presents ideas and techniques from fields outside the reader's own area of specialization.
Brief description: Mark Buchanan is a physicist and independent author. He writes a monthly column for the journal Nature Physics.
Review Quotes: "This book describes the state of the art in understanding cellular networks through contributions by leaders in modern cell biology and network theory. It is clearly organized and exhibits an excellent balance between empirical studies and theory. The biological underpinnings are explained clearly and comprehensively, and the appendices give a great primer to the key mathematical concepts necessary for network analysis and modeling. This book will be of great use as a course textbook or for self-study."
Reka Albert, Pennsylvania State University