R Resources for Learning Computational Systems Biology

On this page you will find a variety of resources for teaching/learning Computational Systems Biology that have been developed using the R statistical language. These resources include interactive modules that are generally applicable to learning the basics of systems biology modeling, as well as, coding examples for using R to develop and analyze various types of systems biology models. The coding examples also include R shiny examples, which provide a template for developing interactive interfaces for systems biology models. Source codes for all interfaces and coding examples are also available. An interactive slide deck, also developed with R shiny, that was presented at FOSBE 2022 in a session on Systems Biology Eucation are available here.

Schematic of available R resources. Schematic overview of resources in the introCSB repository.

R Shiny Interactive Modules

This is a series of modules that are intended to provide simple interfaces to example systems models and to provide extra practice problems and are intended as a supplement the textbook: A First Course in Systems Biology . The textbook is not needed to be able to use these applications, but may be useful for further explanation.

Intro to Modeling (SIR Models): Provides interfaces to selected examples from Chapter 2: Introduction to Mathematical Modeling of A First Course in Systems Biology. The expected outcomes of this module are (i) learn the parts of a model and (ii) practice predicting how perturbations to model inputs and parameters affect the model response. (Source)
Static Network Models: Provides interfaces to example static network models in line with Chapter 3: Static Network Models of A First Course in Systems Biology. The expected outcomes of this module are (i) learn the basics of working with graphs; (ii) practice computing statistics based on graphs; (iii) practice using stoichiometric network models. (Source)
Discrete, Recursive Models: Provides interfaces to example discrete and recursive models, including examples from Chapter 4: The Mathematics of Biological Systems of A First Course in Systems Biology. The expected outcomes of this module are (i) learn the basic principles of discrete, recursive models; (ii) explore examples of dynamic discrete recrusive models; (iii) practice generating Markov matrices. (Source)
Continuous Dynamic Models: Provides interfaces to example models based on the canonical models described in pg. 102-105 of Chapter 4: The Mathematics of Biological Systems of A First Course in Systems Biology. The expected outcomes of this module are to learn the basic structure of (i) linear, (ii) Lotka-Voltera, (iii) mass action, and (iv) S-system models. (Source)
Analysis of Dynamic Models: Provides interfaces to example models described in Chapter 4: The Mathematics of Biological Systems of A First Course in Systems Biology. The expected outcomes of this module are to learn the fundamentals of stability analysis including: (i) linearization of nonlinear models, (ii) eigenvalue analysis. (Source)

Interactive Coding Tutorials

These coding tutorials were developed using the learnr package and initial development was funded through a seed grant from the CACHE corporation:

Introduction to Modeling Biological Systems: This tutorial introduces basic skills for performing systems-scale modeling of biological systems in R, including model diagrams and ODE based simulations. (Source)

R Coding Examples by Topic

Below is a list of links to HTML pages with coding examples for a range of topics related to developing and analysiing systems biology models. The examples cover developing systems diagrams and developing/analyzing ODE-based systems models.

R shiny Examples

shiny is an R package that enables the efficient development of web-based applications. The following examples demonstrate how R shiny can be used for developing interactive interfaces for systems biology models.

Interface for ODE based model: Simple example of how to use R shiny to develop interactive interfaces for ODE-based models. (Demo)
Interface for ODE based model with report export: Advanced example of how to use R shiny to develop interactive interfaces for ODE-based models. Includes the ability to export analysis from the model using an R markdown derived report in PDF format. (Demo)

Miscellaneous R shiny Applications

In addition to the interactive modules and the R shiny examples above, here is a list of miscellaneous applications for dynamic systems modeling.

Citation: Voit, E.O.: A First Course in Systems Biology. Garland Science, New York, NY, 2017, 2nd edition