Complexity and Health
The scientific perspective on human beings has nuanced human health and disease research. Although the reductionist approach to molecular biology has provided mechanistic insights into disease processes, it struggles to convert these insights into practical clinical applications.
Pharmacology demonstrates both the successes and limitations of this approach. It has effectively managed physiological parameters like blood sugar and blood pressure. However, it also faces ongoing challenges in drug development, particularly in achieving desired effects without significant side effects due to drugs affecting multiple molecular targets.
The traditional method of breaking down phenomena into their simplest components offers clarity but fails to capture the complexity of systems like the human body. It is rare to find processes in the body that operate independently or involve only one molecule. Typically, we see networks of signals and information working together toward overarching goals. These include regulating pH, blood glucose, and temperature, requiring coordinated actions across various scales.
The field of complex systems introduces a new paradigm, enabling us to assemble the elements we have dissected for study. As a good example, Systems Biology uses mathematical models to analyze genomic and proteomic data, leading to advancements in personalized and precision medicine. The behavior of biological systems in both health and disease shows characteristics such as dual-phase molecule actions, neural network behaviors, fractal geometries, and nonlinear responses, which are all indicative of complex systems.
Each person is a unique system with a distinct genome and exposome, responding via a complex, hierarchically organized network. This understanding opens up new avenues for real-world solutions in medicine. Ultimately, this approach aims to redefine our understanding of Health, moving beyond the current World Health Organization’s vague definition towards viewing Health as the full realization of a person’s dynamic and self-organizing potential.
Keeping this aim in mind, this platform has been created to advocate for the application of complex systems theory in biomedical research, promote the development of solutions that can be directly implemented in clinical settings, and highlight the transformative power of this approach towards a predictive, personalized and precision medicine.
Dr. Alejandro Espinosa
With the kind support of
