Computational Parameter Selection and Simulation of Complex Sphingolipid Pathway Metabolism

Abstract

Systems biology is an emerging field of study that seeks to provide systems-level understanding of biological systems through the integration of high-throughput biological data into predictive computational models. The integrative nature of this field is in sharp contrast as compared to the Reductionist methods that have been employed since the advent of molecular biology. Systems biology investigates not only the individual components of the biological system, such as metabolic pathways, organelles, and signaling cascades, but also considers the relationships and interactions between the components in the hope that an understandable model of the entire system can eventually be developed. This field of study is being hailed by experts as a potential vital technology in revolutionizing the pharmaceutical development process in the post-genomic era. This work not only provides a systems biology investigation into principles governing de novo sphingolipid metabolism but also the various computational obstacles that are present in converting high-throughput data into an insightful model.