Investigator: Martin Döring

The work package examines past, present and future potentials of systems biology as envisioned by young and senior scientists. It provides an analysis of past and present framings and future expectations – sociology of expectations and the sociology of the future – about systems biology by empirically relying on data taken from German and Austrian focus groups. It addresses a variety of questions such as the genesis of the concept of systems biology, its scientific innovative potential, basic concepts of cells/organisms/life etc. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between systems biology and related disciplines, the past and present futures of systems biology and its theoretical and practical possibilities of application.