tyrhaynes1 votesSunday, February 03, 2008 at 2:44 AM
I believe that they mean networking technique in a similar way to a "theory" with predictive powers to understand the connections between the various genes in order to find out what they do in combination with each other. As the majority of genes are not simply on/off in order to be effective you have to look at genes as a network of interrelated causal processes with a high perturbation value.
Does that answer your question trans2040? Or was I too longwinded and pedantic:)
trans20401 votesSunday, February 03, 2008 at 5:28 AM
Thanks tyrhaynes. I'm no biologist, but this is common sense. isn't it? Why would it take them this long to finally figure out that genes are interrelated?! It might be a new algorithm they're using, though?!
jeriaska2 votesSunday, February 03, 2008 at 11:38 AM
They appear to be speaking about new computer programs capable of offering information on the interaction between various gene sequences. You might have heard about the Novamente AI company's Biomind project at the Singularity Summit, which uses learning algorithms to analyze genetic data. The research described in this article looks like it's in the same area of using artificial intelligence to further biotechnology research.
From the article:
Gene networks are models of the connections between all of the genes within an organism, and Marcotte uses them like an online social network. He learns what new genes do by the genes' connections to others in the network, much like people use online social networking systems to connect with friends and others with similar interests.
