TY - JOUR
T1 - Building Simulations from the Ground-Up: Modeling and Theory in Systems Biology
AU - MacLeod, Miles Alexander James
AU - Nersessian, Nancy J.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - In this article, we provide a case study examining how integrative systems biologists build simulation models in the absence of a theoretical base. Lacking theoretical starting points, integrative systems biology researchers rely cognitively on the model-building process to disentangle and understand complex biochemical systems. They build simulations from the ground up in a nest-like fashion, by pulling together information and techniques from a variety of possible sources and experimenting with different structures in order to discover a stable, robust result. Finally, we analyze the alternative role and meaning theory has in systems biology expressed as canonical template theories like Biochemical Systems Theory.
AB - In this article, we provide a case study examining how integrative systems biologists build simulation models in the absence of a theoretical base. Lacking theoretical starting points, integrative systems biology researchers rely cognitively on the model-building process to disentangle and understand complex biochemical systems. They build simulations from the ground up in a nest-like fashion, by pulling together information and techniques from a variety of possible sources and experimenting with different structures in order to discover a stable, robust result. Finally, we analyze the alternative role and meaning theory has in systems biology expressed as canonical template theories like Biochemical Systems Theory.
U2 - 10.1086/673209
DO - 10.1086/673209
M3 - Article
VL - 80
SP - 533
EP - 556
JO - Philosophy of science
JF - Philosophy of science
SN - 0031-8248
IS - 4
ER -