Systems Biology (Methods in Molecular Biology)

4 Stability Consideration

Most often, biological network models that attempt to understand

any particular cellular process require knowing whether an equilib-

rium state, such as a steady-state condition or a periodic oscillation,

is stable. This is because stable and unstable equilibria can play

different roles in biology.

In the case of immune response, it is necessary that the host

invoke a response that will neutralize the invading pathogens

Fig. 10A simple genetic toggle switch inE. coli.(a) Schematic of genetic toggle switch comprising inducers,
repressors, and promotors, (b) Simulations for different ranges of parameter values in equations26 and 27.
Seeref. 33 for details. Figure adapted from [33]

Complex Biological Responses Using Simple Models 189