What is Systems Biology?
Understanding life as an integrated system — from molecules to organisms.
Understanding Systems Biology
Systems biology is an interdisciplinary approach that seeks to understand how biological systems function as a whole, rather than studying individual components in isolation. It integrates experimental data with computational modelling to map the complex interactions between genes, proteins, metabolites, and cells.
By combining high-throughput data generation with mathematical and computational analysis, systems biology enables researchers to predict how biological systems behave under different conditions — offering insights that traditional reductionist approaches cannot provide alone.
Working with Systems Biology
SBI Australia facilitates access to high-performance computing capacity and software platforms that support systems biology research. Researchers, students, and industry partners can engage with the field through:
- Computational modelling — building and simulating models of biological networks.
- Data integration — combining diverse datasets from genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
- Software platforms — using tools such as CellDesigner and Cytoscape for visualisation and analysis.
- Collaborative research — partnering with SBI Australia on projects spanning cardiac research, metabolomics, and epidemiology modelling.
SBI Australia welcomes interest from undergraduate and postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research and industry organisations.
Hiroaki Kitano – Founder of SBI
Professor Hiroaki Kitano
Professor Hiroaki Kitano is the founder of the Systems Biology Institute (SBI) in Japan. A pioneer in the field, he has driven the development of systems biology as a discipline that bridges computational science and experimental biology. His work spans artificial intelligence, robotics, and the creation of software platforms that enable researchers worldwide to model and simulate complex biological systems.
Under his leadership, SBI has expanded internationally, with SBI Australia established in 2013 as a node connecting Japanese and Australian scientific partners.
Learn More
SBI Australia offers training programs and workshops to build capacity in systems biology. Past offerings have included the CellDesigner Workshop (May 2013) and training in visualising biological data using Cytoscape. These programs support the broader goal of enhancing systems biology capability in Victoria and across Australia.
For more information about research initiatives, visit the SBI Australia home page or explore our research projects.