Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 11
. Modeling/Abstraction Formalism: methodology of applying systems theory in
biology, i.e., construction of a system and the constructive specifications (conceptual or oth-
erwise). A model only exists when the "modeling relation" commutes (1 = 2 + 3 + 4). The
modeling relation involves a "Natural System" undergoing causal events, in the form of a
"Formal System" undergoing, implication while connected by an encoding and decoding step.
(Artwork by M.Clemens.)
mental epistemologies, a new guide for thinking with emphasis placed on its
relativity or situation-dependence approach. Specifically, Robert Rosen's model-
ing (19) relation (see Figure 11) is a tool for thinking about the relationship be-
tween natural systems and structures created (scientific process) for
understanding such systems. Simple systems entail a largest model representa-
tion. Conversely, complex systems are not bounded and therefore no largest
syntactic model can be found. The mechanistic metaphor simply will not do.
There is compelling evidence that malignant tumors behave as self-
organizing networks with properties of adaptive multicellular biosystems rather
than as unorganized cell masses (see chapter 6.3, by Mansury and Deisboeck,
part III, this volume). The emergence of networks with complex topology as
diverse as the cell or the Internet that are driven by similar self-organizing proc-
esses suggests that they are governed by simple but generic laws. Analysis of the
metabolic and protein networks of various organisms shows that cells and com-
