Mathematics and 21st Century Biology

The exponentially increasing amounts of biological data along with comparableadvances in computing power are making possible the construction of quantitative,predictive biological systems models. This development could revolutionize thosebiology-based fields of science. To assist this transformation, the U.S. Department ofEnergy asked the National Research Council to recommend mathematical researchactivities to enable more effective use of the large amounts of existing genomicinformation and the structural and functional genomic information being created. The resulting study is a broad, scientifically based view of the opportunities lying atthe mathematical science and biology interface. The book provides a review of pastsuccesses, an examination of opportunities at the various levels of biological systemsfrom molecules to ecosystemsan analysis of cross-cutting themes, and aset of recommendations to advance the mathematics-biology connection that areapplicable to all agencies funding research in this area.