Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) made its first investment in the important new area of Systems Biology in 2004 by appointing Professor Peter Wellstead as SFI Research Professor in Systems Biology. Working as part of the Hamilton Institute team at NUIM, Peter Wellstead has recruited an initial international research team consisting of 4 research scientists to form part of a coherent research programme in Systems Biology at NUIM. In addition, and in collaboration with SFI, the Hamilton Institute team have created an awareness of Systems Biology in Ireland, and developed an international profile for Ireland in this important new area.
The field of Systems Biology is new in many respects, but mainly because it represents a different way of thinking about and organising research in the life sciences. To quote Wellstead,
'a systems approach will have profound ramifications for our society - ramifications that will rival those that followed the systematisation of manufacture that was started by the Industrial Revolution'.
To be specific, in the previous century and before, we developed and refined methods of rapidly and accurately sensing variables. This was complemented by sophisticated methods for processing the signals from the sensors, and using the information derived to analyse the underlying behaviour of physical and technological systems. Using sensing technology, signal processing techniques, and methods invented for the analysis and control of system dynamics, the process of research and development in the physical sciences and industry was greatly enhanced. Not only was the pace of research and development improved, but the systematic techniques that were developed also added to the commercial competitiveness of the developed world.
Transposing this 'systems' methodology to the life sciences is the core mission of Systems Biology. This will not be easy, as it involves establishing novel multi-disciplinary groups that span biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, systems theory, applied mathematics and computation. Nonetheless, it is a prize worth aiming for, and by joining with the Departments of Chemistry and Biology at NUIM and elsewhere, the Hamilton Institute Systems Biology team aim to create a multidisciplinary culture and a high impact Irish dimension to Systems Biology research.
Contact: The Hamilton Institute
NUI Maynooth,
Co Kildare.
Tel: 01 7086100
E-mail:
[email protected]
|
