Introduction

Abstract

This book provides a state-of-the-art description of research in bioinfor-matics and systems biology as supported by European Commission collaborative research projects and functions as a practical guide to project websites, participants, coordinators, publications and key sources. In addition to an introduction to the science, a number of links to key websites and information resources are presented. This introductory chapter illustrates that bioinformatics and systems biology consist of more than databases and tools, and are scientific areas in themselves and major components of most research projects. The key domains for analysis and research are described in detail. Aspects of collaborative research projects are explored, and it is shown how they constitute an important research paradigm.