What is network analysis in biology?

What is network analysis in biology?

Network analysis in biology involves studying complex biological systems through the relationships and interactions between various components, such as genes, proteins, and metabolites.

How is it applied in understanding diseases?

It's used to identify key interactions and pathways that may contribute to diseases, helping researchers pinpoint potential targets for treatment.

Can you give an example of a biological network?

Sure! A common example is the protein-protein interaction network, which maps how proteins interact with each other to perform biological functions.

What tools are used for network analysis?

Tools like Cytoscape, Gephi, and R packages such as igraph are commonly used for visualizing and analyzing biological networks.

What are the challenges in network analysis?

Challenges include data quality, the complexity of biological systems, and the need for computational power to analyze large datasets.