Rethinking medical education through systems biology to address complexity

npj Systems Biology and Applications 2026 Open access

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Authors: Laurent David, Pierre‐Antoine Gourraud, Guillaume Lamirault, Patricia Lemarchand
DOI: 10.1038/s41540-025-00636-5
Cited by: 4
References: 50

Abstract

While reductionism has advanced biology and medicine, it fosters a fragmented understanding of health, ill-suited to modern challenges like chronic and systemic diseases. Systems biology offers a new perspective, framing biological entities within interconnected networks. Using French medical education as an example, we argue that systems thinking should be foundational, not optional. Integrating systems biology early in medical education can better prepare future physicians for biomedical complexity and precision medicine.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration Chaos Complexity and Education Health Environment Cognitive Aging

Publication details

Journal / source
npj Systems Biology and Applications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
12
Issue
1
Pages
12–12
Publication date
6 January 2026
Language
EN