What is systems biology?
Systems biology is an interdisciplinary field of biology that deals with the mathematical modeling of biological systems. The objective is the prediction of the systems properties, for example, the properties of a living cell. This is achieved by the experimental measurement of all relevant biological data, the data analysis with bioinformatic methods, and finally the data integration into mathematical models. Similar to mathematical models on physical processes, this allows predictions on biological processes. The iterative experimental verification and adaptation of mathematical models facilitates a deep understanding of the underlying biological processes.
What happens at BRICS?
In the systems biology centre of Braunschweig, BRICS, systems biology is applied on topics of health research. This includes
- the strategy of pathogenic bacteria in a human infection
- as the development of new drugs
- cheap and safe production of active components.
In this way, BRICS is part of TRAIN, the translation alliance in Lower Saxony. TRAIN joins the biomedical centres of the research region Braunschweig-Hannover to enable a concerted drug development.
Who works at BRICS?
The location of Braunschweig provides the best conditions for systems biology. The Technische Universität Braunschweig joins international recognized expertise in eningeering technologies, mathematics, computer sciences, chemistry and physics with powerful life sciences. The Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research engages numerous scientific experts in the field of infection biology. Together, both research facilities are founding the BRICS to establish systems biology in Braunschweig as the base for modern health research.
Who erects the BRICS building?
Together with the federal state Lower Saxony, the Technische Universität Braunschweig erects a new building for BRICS. In close proximity to the life science building „Biozentrum“, the new BRICS building will host biologists, biotechnologists, physicists, mathematicians, and chemists who study health related questions, applying of systems biology.
