Emergent Collective Properties, Networks And Information In Biology

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The concept of network as a mathematical description of a set of states, or events, linked according to a certain topology has been developed recently and has led to a novel approach of real world. This approach is no doubt important in the field of biology. In fact biological systems can be considered networks. Thus, for instance, an enzyme-catalysed reaction is a network that links, according to a certain topology, the various states of the protein and of its complexes with the substrates and products of the chemical reaction. Connections between neurons, social relations in animal and human populations are also examples of networks. Hence there is little doubt that the concept of network transgresses the boundaries between traditional scientific disciplines. This book is aimed at discussing in physical terms these exciting new topics on simple protein model lattices, supramolecular protein edifices, multienzyme and gene networks. *Physical and mathematical approach of biological phenomena.*Offers biochemists and biologists the mathematical background required to understand the text.*Associates in the same general formulation, the ideas of communication of a message and organization of a system.*Provides a clear-cut definition and mathematical expression of the concepts of reduction, integration, emergence and complexity that were so far time-honoured and vague

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EMERGENT COLLECTIVE PROPERTIES, NETWORKS AND INFORMATION IN BIOLOGY New Comprehensive Biochemistry Volume 40 General Editor G. BERNARDI Paris Amsterdam Boston Heidelberg London New York Oxford Paris San Diego San Francisco Singapore Sydney Tokyo Emergent Collective Properties, Networks and Information in Biology J. Ricard Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS, Universite´s Paris VI et Paris VII, 2 Place Jussieu, 75251 Paris Cedex 05, France Amsterdam Boston Heidelberg London New York Oxford Paris San Diego San Francisco Singapore Sydney Tokyo ELSEVIER B.V. Radarweg 29, P.O. Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam The Netherlands ELSEVIER Inc. 525 B Street, Suite 1900 San Diego CA 92101-4495 USA ELSEVIER Ltd The Boulevard, Langford Lane Kidlington Oxford OX5 1GB UK ELSEVIER Ltd 84 Theobalds Road London WC1X 8RR UK ß 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright by Elsevier B.V., and the following terms and conditions apply to its use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single chapters may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the Publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use. Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier’s Rights Department in Oxford, UK: phone (þ44) 1865 843830, fax (þ44) 1865 853333, e-mail: [email protected] Requests may also be completed on-line via the Elsevier homepage (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/permissions). In the USA, users may clear permissions and make payments through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA; phone: (þ1) (978) 7508400, fax: (þ1) (978) 7504744, and in the UK through the Copyright Licensing Agency Rapid Clearance Service (CLARCS), 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0LP, UK; phone: (þ44) 20 7631 5555; fax: (þ44) 20 7631 5500. Other countries may have a local reprographic rights agency for payments. Derivative Works Tables of contents may be reprodu