Systems Biology Approaches to the Study of Apoptosis

Today, we can avail of comprehensive information on the molecular
mechanisms of apoptosis signaling that was gathered during decades of intense
research. This chapter presents how mathematical approaches in the field of cellular
signaling are used to integrate this complex and heterogeneous information into
computational models with the aim to elucidate the functional properties of apopto-
tic signaling networks. Mathematical modeling allows one to describe properties of
signaling systems that emanate from the interplay of the system’s individual compo-
nents and has a longstanding and successful history in the fields of physics, chemistry,
and their applied engineering sciences. Systems analyses can serve to describe and
identify signaling dynamics,molecular switches, thresholds, and feedback regulatory
mechanisms and allow systems properties such as stability and robustness toward
external perturbations to be identified. Crucially, systems analyses can also serve to
generate novel qualitative and quantitative research hypotheses, which in turn allow
for more focused experimental research approaches. This chapter provides a concise
and critical overview on the current state of systems biology in the field of apoptotic
signaling and the methodology employed.