Use of logic theory in understanding regulatory pathway signaling in response to infection

Biological pathways link the molecular and cellular levels of biological activityand perform complex information processing seamlessly. Systems biology aims to combine an understanding of the cause–effect relationships of each individual interaction to build an understanding of the function of whole pathways. Therapies that target the ‘host’ biological processes in infectious diseases are often limited to the use of vaccines and biologics rather than small molecules. The development of host drug-targets for small molecules is constrained by a limited knowledge of the underlying role of each target, particularly its potential to cause harmful side effects after targeting. By considering the combinatorial complexity of pathways from the outset, we can develop modeling tools that are better suited to analyzing large pathways, enabling us to identify new causal relationships. This could lead to new drug target strategies that beneficially disrupt host–pathogen interactions, minimizing the number of side effects. We introduce logic theory as part of a pathway modeling approach that can provide a new framework for understanding pathways and refine ‘host-based’ drug target identification strategies.