Tim Galitski, PhD Associate Professor Institute for Systems Biology					Genetics 2.0: Systems Genetics      Modern human genetics is an amazing story of self-discovery. As we increase our knowledge of how humans differ genetically, more and more is revealed about our nature and origins. We can link gene variants to health risks. We can take advantage of exponentially increasing stores of DNA sequence data. But when we think about how the genotype (the set of gene variants in a genome) affects traits, most of today's human genetics research is little different from research done decades ago. Genetics needs an upgrade.      Systems Genetics is the corollary to the basic insight of systems biology: the traits of living things are properties of interacting genes and molecules. Traits are not contained in individual genes. Rather, they are properties generated by dynamic networks.      Historically, geneticists have studied how the variants of a single gene influence a trait. In recent years, researchers have increased their ability to detect multiple genetic risk factors for health problems. Nonetheless, these multiple gene variants account for a small fraction of the genetic risk for common diseases. A basic limitation is that these studies assume genes act independently, whereas most prevalent health problems are far more genetically complex, because genes and their products interact in dynamic networks. To address this reality, systems research at ISB is upgrading genetics in two key respects.      First, we are integrating experimental and computational approaches to study genetic complexity. We have developed network-based computational models that accurately predict the states generated by complex genetic networks. Moreover, we have created new approaches for maximizing the biological information derived from networks of interacting gene variants.      Second, we have developed advanced technology to study the effects of gene variants on the dynamic behavior of biological networks. Studying network dynamics requires the ability to create and then change unique environments for large numbers of individual cells, and to observe their responses as they unfold over time. We have developed automated microfluidic chip technology that achieves this critical objective.      Systems thinking at ISB is transforming genetics. Likewise, the integration of genetic thinking is needed to realize the health benefits of systems biology. Because of the genetic complexity of our most common and pressing health risks, systems genetics will be needed to translate personal genome sequences into windows that reveal future threats to our personal health. Tim Galitski, PhD Associate Professor Institute for Systems Biology
	In this issue
	RESEARCH.....................................................2
		Research at ISB is Paving the Way for Predictive and Preventive Medicine
		ISB: Driving Biology with Global Technology Advancement
	EDUCATION....................................................5
		FAA Using Systems Biology Approaches in Ongoing Effort to Improve Air Safety
		CIS and Everett Schools Receive $600,000 to Improve Student Learning
	COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT......................7
		ISB Researchers About Town
		ISB and Swedish Neuroscience Institute Kick Off Unique Brain Tumor Partnership
	RECOGNITION...............................................8
		ISB has Once Again Made The Scientist List of Top Places for Postdocs to Work
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	BIOS Editor: Todd Langton email: tlangton@systemsbiology.org BIOS Production and Design: Christine Emswiler email: cemswiler@systemsbiology.org VP for Development: Larry Herron email: lherron@systemsbiology.org
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