<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>In this paper I analyze the process by which modelers in systems biology arrive at an adequate representation of the biological structures thought to underlie data gathered from high-throughput experiments. Contrary to views that causal claims and explanations are rare in systems biology, I argue that in many studies of gene regulatory networks modelers aim at a representation of causal structure. In addressing modeling challenges, they draw on assumptions informed by theory and pragmatic considerations in a manner that is guided by an interventionist conception of causal structure. While doubts have been raised about the applicability of this notion of causality to complex biological systems, it is here seen to be an adequate guide to inquiry.</p></abstract>

In this paper I analyze the process by which modelers in systems biology arrive at an adequate representation of the biological structures thought to underlie data gathered from high-throughput experiments. Contrary to views that causal claims and explanations are rare in systems biology, I argue that in many studies of gene regulatory networks modelers aim at a representation of causal structure. In addressing modeling challenges, they draw on assumptions informed by theory and pragmatic considerations in a manner that is guided by an interventionist conception of causal structure. While doubts have been raised about the applicability of this notion of causality to complex biological systems, it is here seen to be an adequate guide to inquiry.

Causal Concepts Guiding Model Specification in Systems Biology

Disputatio

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Causal Concepts Guiding Model Specification in Systems Biology"}

In this paper I analyze the process by which modelers in systems biology arrive at an adequate representation of the biological structures thought to underlie...

Causal Concepts Guiding Model Specification in Systems Biology

Published Online: Oct 16, 2018

Page range: 499 - 527

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/disp-2017-0016

Keywords
Causation, systems biology, causal models, cellular networks, underdetermination

© 2017 Dana Matthiessen, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Causal Concepts Guiding Model Specification in Systems Biology

Published Online: Oct 16, 2018

Page range: 499 - 527

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/disp-2017-0016

KeywordsCausation, systems biology, causal models, cellular networks, underdetermination

© 2017 Dana Matthiessen, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Causation, systems biology, causal models, cellular networks, underdetermination