Many different systems both in nature and in technology can be described by means of networks of interconnected components. Despite their different aspects, all of them share similar mathematical properties. In this book we explain how to recognize these features and why these different systems develop this common structure.
Networks are involved in many aspects of everyday life, from food webs in ecology and the spread of pandemics to social networking and public transport. This Very Short Introduction explores the basics of network theory to understand the science of complexity and its importance, using examples from nature, technology, and society, and history.
The science of complex biological networks is transforming research in areas ranging from evolutionary biology to medicine. This is the first book on the subject, providing a comprehensive introduction to complex network science and its biological applications. With contributions from key leaders in both network theory and modern cell biology, this book discusses the network science that is increasingly foundational for systems biology and the quantitative understanding of living systems. It surveys studies in the quantitative structure and dynamics of genetic regulatory networks, molecular networks underlying cellular metabolism, and other fundamental biological processes. The book balances empirical studies and theory to give a unified overview of this interdisciplinary science. It is a key introductory text for graduate students and researchers in physics, biology and biochemistry, and presents ideas and techniques from fields outside the reader's own area of specialization.
The book explores the mathematical properties shared by various systems in nature and technology, highlighting the interconnectedness of their components. It provides insights into how to identify these features and delves into the reasons behind the development of this common structure across diverse systems.