Attractive models: how to make the silicon cell relevant and dynamic
2003
How to Make the Silicon Cell Relevant and Dynamic
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Hans V. Westerhoff, Frank Bruggeman, Jan-Hendrik S. Hofmeyr, Jacky L. Snoep
Primary Institution: Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study
Hypothesis
Is biology just a complicated special case of physics?
Conclusion
Biology is not just a complicated special case of physics and should grow beyond traditional physics and chemistry.
Supporting Evidence
- The sequencing of entire genomes has confirmed that there is a substantial minimum size of the unit of life.
- External perturbations cause the mRNA expression levels of many genes to change.
- Silicon cells require precise magnitudes of kinetic parameters as input.
Takeaway
This study discusses how biology is unique and cannot be fully explained by physics or chemistry alone, emphasizing the importance of understanding living systems as networks.
Limitations
The processes of living cells for which the kinetic properties of all participating macromolecules are known are rare.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website