Know your limits: Assumptions, constraints and interpretation in systems biology

Much of modern biological research can be organised under unifying concepts such as ‘Network Biology’ or ‘Systems Biology’. These provide frameworks for discussion and evaluation, which is particularly necessary given the large number of interconnected components being measured in the genomic era. Conversely, they embody simplifications and assumptions that place limits on what can be deduced from experimental data. Understanding these constraints is essential not only for scientific interpretation, but also in evaluating new experimental methods and conceptual advances.