Mathematical models in microbial systems biology

Systems biology aims at an understanding of the genotype–phenotype relations brought about by cellular networks. Mathematical models as formal representations are central for handling the associated complexity. Recently, model-based analysis of microorganisms has begun, for instance, to reveal functional modules in metabolic and transcriptional networks, to predict cellular behavior from genome-scale physicochemical constraints, and to suggest novel design principles for well-studied bacterial subsystems such as chemotaxis. Guided by common themes such as modularity, optimality and robustness, iterative model development promises further progress towards a system-level understanding. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. except certain content provided by third parties [accessed 2014 October 16