Boolean modelling as a logic-based dynamic approach in systems medicine

Abstract

Molecular mechanisms of health and disease are often represented as systems biology diagrams, and the coverage of such representation constantly increases. These static diagrams can be transformed into dynamic models, allowing for in silico simulations and predictions. Boolean modelling is an approach based on an abstract representation of the system. It emphasises the qualitative modelling of biological systems in which each biomolecule can take two possible values: zero for absent or inactive, one for present or active. Because of this approximation, Boolean modelling is applicable to large diagrams, allowing to capture their dynamic properties. We review Boolean models of disease mechanisms and compare a range of methods and tools used for analysis processes. We explain the methodology of Boolean analysis focusing on its application in disease modelling. Finally, we discuss its practical application in analysing signal transduction and gene regulatory pathways in health and disease.

Keywords

• Logical modelling
• Boolean networks
• Modelling formats
• Systems Biology standards