Engineering and Living Systems

Engineering and Living Systems
Author: David D. Rutstein
Publisher: MIT Press (MA)
Total Pages: 344
Release: 1970
Genre: Medical
ISBN:

This book outlines for the first time a sound plan for interrelating the physical and engineering sciences and mathematics with biology and medicine. The walls of narrowing specialization that have kept these disciplines apart are broken down. The proposed program points up the need for an administrative structure to aid the flow of concepts, ideas, knowledge, and technology among those concerned, both within and without the university. The kinds of experts needed to bridge the existing gap between the two groups of disciplines are defined. Educational programs are outlined for full-time specialists, research participants, and practitioners in both engineering and medicine. A careful description is given of the stepwise process, including interaction with industry to apply development in the engineering sense to biology and medicine. A detailed example of the application of systems analysis and operations research to the development of a specific medical care program is also included. This book is a distillate of the general principles learned during the exploration of a joint program between Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which was summarized by the authors in a Report to the National Academy of Engineering. The authors recognize the impossibility of providing on their own the authoritative grasp necessary to provide specific recommendations for the future in the many field comprised by engineering and living systems. Cooperation was obtained of outstanding experts on the two faculties, who prepared sixteen task group reports under the following headings: artificial internal organs; bioengineering curricula; biological control systems; continuing education; diagnostic instrumentation; diagnostic processes; image processing and visualization techniques; medical care microsystems; neurophysiology; organ and cell culture and storage; physiological monitoring; physiological systems analysis; regionalization of health services (macrosystems); sensory aids; skeletal prostheses; and subcellular engineering. The task group reports, included in this book, provide the documentation for the general conclusions of the authors. This book supplements existing medical programs with a new research approach to increase fundamental knowledge, and points the way to better medical care through more efficient application of engineering, technology, and systems development.

The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology

The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 570
Release: 2011-12-30
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309219396

Many potential applications of synthetic and systems biology are relevant to the challenges associated with the detection, surveillance, and responses to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. On March 14 and 15, 2011, the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) Forum on Microbial Threats convened a public workshop in Washington, DC, to explore the current state of the science of synthetic biology, including its dependency on systems biology; discussed the different approaches that scientists are taking to engineer, or reengineer, biological systems; and discussed how the tools and approaches of synthetic and systems biology were being applied to mitigate the risks associated with emerging infectious diseases. The Science and Applications of Synthetic and Systems Biology is organized into sections as a topic-by-topic distillation of the presentations and discussions that took place at the workshop. Its purpose is to present information from relevant experience, to delineate a range of pivotal issues and their respective challenges, and to offer differing perspectives on the topic as discussed and described by the workshop participants. This report also includes a collection of individually authored papers and commentary.

Physical Models of Living Systems

Physical Models of Living Systems
Author: Philip Nelson
Publisher: Macmillan Higher Education
Total Pages: 365
Release: 2014-12-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1319036902

Written for intermediate-level undergraduates pursuing any science or engineering major, Physical Models of Living Systems helps students develop many of the competencies that form the basis of the new MCAT2015. The only prerequisite is first-year physics. With the more advanced "Track-2" sections at the end of each chapter, the book can be used in graduate-level courses as well.

Biosimulation

Biosimulation
Author: Daniel A. Beard
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2012-04-12
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0521768233

A hands-on guide to devising, designing and analyzing simulations of biophysical processes for applications in biological and biomedical sciences. Practical examples are given throughout, representing real-world case studies of key application areas, and all data and complete codes for simulation and data analysis are provided online.

Living Systems

Living Systems
Author: Liat Margolis
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 189
Release: 2008-02-01
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 3764377003

The use of innovative new materials is an important trend in landscape architecture today. These materials include biodegradable geotextiles, super-absorbent polymers, and plants that react to changing soil conditions. This book presents the available materials and technologies in the context of practical applications.

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology
Author: Daniel G. Gibson
Publisher: Perspectives Cshl
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781621821182

Synthetic biology involves the rational design and construction of biological components and systemsfrom genetic elements and metabolic pathways to entirely new organisms. Progress in this field has been rapid, and it promises to significantly expand our capabilities in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology examines the tools and techniques employed by synthetic biologists, how these may be used to develop new drugs, diagnostic approaches, food sources, and clean energy, and what the field of synthetic biology has taught us about natural living systems. The contributors discuss advances in DNA synthesis and assembly, genome editing (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9), and artificial genetic systems. Progress in designing complex genetic switches and circuits, expanding the genetic code, modifying cellular organization, producing proteins using cell-free systems, and developing biodesign automation tools is also covered. The authors also explore ways to produce new organisms and products that have particular attributesfor example, microbial "molecular factories," synthetic organs and tissues, and plants with novel traits. This volume is an essential resource for molecular, cell, and systems biologists who seek to engineer living systems for human benefit.

Modeling Complex Living Systems

Modeling Complex Living Systems
Author: N. Bellomo
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 229
Release: 2008
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0817645101

Develops different mathematical methods and tools to model living systems. This book presents material that can be used in such real-world applications as immunology, transportation engineering, and economics. It is of interest to those involved in modeling complex social systems and living matter in general.

The Physics of Living Systems

The Physics of Living Systems
Author: Fabrizio Cleri
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 635
Release: 2016-10-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319306472

In this book, physics in its many aspects (thermodynamics, mechanics, electricity, fluid dynamics) is the guiding light on a fascinating journey through biological systems, providing ideas, examples and stimulating reflections for undergraduate physics, chemistry and life-science students, as well as for anyone interested in the frontiers between physics and biology. Rather than introducing a lot of new information, it encourages young students to use their recently acquired knowledge to start seeing the physics behind the biology. As an undergraduate textbook in introductory biophysics, it includes the necessary background and tools, including exercises and appendices, to form a progressive course. In this case, the chapters can be used in the order proposed, possibly split between two semesters. The book is also an absorbing read for researchers in the life sciences who wish to refresh or go deeper into the physics concepts gleaned in their early years of scientific training. Less physics-oriented readers might want to skip the first chapter, as well as all the "gray boxes" containing the more formal developments, and create their own รก-la-carte menu of chapters.

Robustness and Evolvability in Living Systems

Robustness and Evolvability in Living Systems
Author: Andreas Wagner
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 383
Release: 2007-07-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0691134049

All living things are remarkably complex, yet their DNA is unstable, undergoing countless random mutations over generations. Despite this instability, most animals do not grow two heads or die, plants continue to thrive, and bacteria continue to divide. Robustness and Evolvability in Living Systems tackles this perplexing paradox. The book explores why genetic changes do not cause organisms to fail catastrophically and how evolution shapes organisms' robustness. Andreas Wagner looks at this problem from the ground up, starting with the alphabet of DNA, the genetic code, RNA, and protein molecules, moving on to genetic networks and embryonic development, and working his way up to whole organisms. He then develops an evolutionary explanation for robustness. Wagner shows how evolution by natural selection preferentially finds and favors robust solutions to the problems organisms face in surviving and reproducing. Such robustness, he argues, also enhances the potential for future evolutionary innovation. Wagner also argues that robustness has less to do with organisms having plenty of spare parts (the redundancy theory that has been popular) and more to do with the reality that mutations can change organisms in ways that do not substantively affect their fitness. Unparalleled in its field, this book offers the most detailed analysis available of all facets of robustness within organisms. It will appeal not only to biologists but also to engineers interested in the design of robust systems and to social scientists concerned with robustness in human communities and populations.