Editorial: Education in systems biology 2022

Abstract

The launch of the Research Topic dedicated to Education in Systems Biology 2022 (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/28852/education-in-systems-biology2022#overview) originated from the recognition by the Editorial Board of Frontiers in Systems Biology of the crucial role that education at the graduate and post-graduate level can play in fostering systems thinking through the use of mathematical reasoning and modeling. This Research Topic aimed to emphasize the importance of educating and training students from both biological and mathematical backgrounds in how to think in a systematic way to address modern biological and biomedical problems. We invited manuscripts that address questions such as effective methods for teaching math and computation applied to biological systems, available software tools for teaching systems biology research, best practices for teaching students with different backgrounds, core concepts of systems science and how these concepts can be taught, and fundamental mathematical tools required for systems reasoning. This Research Topic was also aimed at offering the possibility of publication and research credits for teaching efforts, which are an integral (and often very relevant) part of the activity of academic researchers but are often not acknowledged due to the lack of appropriate journals dedicated to education. The Research Topic “Education in Systems Biology 2022” published four articles: three were dedicated to teaching strategies and course development in systems biology, while the fourth addressed, from a didactical point, the fundamental problem of parameter estimation. The article “Research-driven education: An introductory course to systems and synthetic biology” by Smith et al., presents an approach to teaching systems and synthetic biology to undergraduate students based on the DBTL (Design-Build-Test-Learn) framework. It introduces a course designed to provide students with hands-on experience in conducting research in these fields as well as to introduce them to the latest tools and technologies used in these areas. The course presented is structured around a research project in which students work in teams to design and execute experiments, analyze data, and present their findings. The authors highlight the benefits of this approach, including the development of critical thinking skills, the promotion of scientific communication, and the enhancement of scientific literacy. The article provides an overview of the course structure, including the learning objectives, the research project covered, and the assessment methods used. The authors also discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing this approach, OPEN ACCESS