Journal of Computer Science & Systems Biology

Functional Dynamics: From Biological Complexity to Translation and Impact in Healthcare Systems

Abstract

Jonathan A. Lal, Ralf Sudbrak, Hans Lehrach and Angela Brand

Biological complexity at a molecular and physiological level is dynamically translucent and requires a systemwide computational approach to possibly elucidate underlying mechanisms for medical and public health applications. Functional dynamics is ideal to study molecular functions given biological functions are dependent on the dynamic nature of networks it operates within. However, environmental factors significantly affect the molecular dynamics in biology, which still needs to be incorporated in study of functions for medical applicability. Through technological innovation medicine is seeing a potential shift in demand for personalized interventions, which has not been fully realized yet. Also the applicability of functional dynamics’ utility seems not visible in healthcare systems. This article addresses the above mentioned issues, challenges in translation/implementation using the example of the “virtual patient” developed through the pilot EU flagship project ICT Future of Medicine, and provides possible solutions and insights of new and existing scientific data, infrastructures and frameworks like the Learning-Adapting-Leveling model to make it feasible including policy-wise by incorporating best practice guidelines developed through the Public Health Genomics European Network and tries to touch upon its consequential impact. As a result, we see that real time integration in healthcare requires early-on involvement of all stakeholders as well as taking into account health policy issues, which is addressed by the proposed Learning-Adapting-Leveling model and the best practice guidelines. Furthermore, environmental factors and exposome properties need to be taken into consideration, which the pilot ICT Future of Medicine has been taken into account. We now possibly see a shift from stratified medicine through personalized medicine and possibly towards individualized medicine. This coupling of the pilot project ICT Future of Medicine by integrating the Learning-Adapting-Leveling model to resolve real-time integration issues and considering policy-wise the best practice guidelines has set the stage for it to potentially revolutionize the healthcare system as a whole.