The network hypothesis

A cell is an enormously complex entity made up by myriad interacting molecular components that perform the biochemical reactions that maintain life. This book is about the network hypothesis, according to which it is possible to describe a cell through the set of interconnections between its component molecules. Hence, it becomes convenient to focus on these interactions rather than on the molecules themselves to describe the functioning of the cell.

The central dogma in molecular biology describes the way in which a cell processes the information required to produce the molecules necessary to sustain its existence and reproduction. It is also becoming increasingly clear, however, that in order to establish a more complete description of the manner in which a cell works we require a deeper understanding of the manner in which the sets of interconnections between these molecules are defining the identity of the cell itself. It is therefore important to investigate whether the genetic makeup of an organism does not only specify the rules for generating proteins, but also the way in which these proteins interact among themselves and with the other molecules in a cell.