What is Integrated Bioscience?

Biological problems rank among the most pressing that face our society by virtue of their scientific importance and because of their consequences for national health, the economy, and environmental stability. Although reductionist biology has been successful in dissecting the diversity of life, most major advances in understanding complex systems have been made by interpreting results across levels of biological organization (molecular to ecosystem levels) and crossing the boundaries of disciplines. Importantly, the major discoveries and new products and solutions in bioscience became possible because of recent advances in other related sciences and math. The study of complex biological systems is best approached by incorporating many perspectives, bringing together a diversity of complementary disciplines to unravel the complexity that is biology. Therefore, the 21st century will likely be known as the era of integrated science, engineering, and innovative technology (Good 2002).

Renewed emphasis on an integrated approach is becoming a prerequisite for advancing our understanding of biology at a higher level. The foundation of this new framework should be in training scientists to think in synthetic ways; allowing them to incorporate an appreciation of widely different disciplines, approaches, techniques, and taxa in the context of well-defined fundamental and applied questions. Historically, the education of biologists has been constrained by narrow sub-disciplines paralleling patterns of science funding. By the time a Ph.D. is earned, formerly undifferentiated students may have lost the plasticity to develop a deep appreciation of the insights and approaches of other disciplines. Overcoming these difficulties is urgent. Providing scientific trainees with effective preparation will depend, to a large extent, on the adaptability of their mentors.

Studies of gecko foot pads have provided the inspiration for the development of artificial adhesives

Integrated Bioscience, an innovative combination of integrative biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and bioengineering, incorporates but goes beyond inter-disciplinary science, where the research question is still focused within a sub-discipline or on a particular level of biological hierarchy. Because of its many facets, this field requires diversity and a range of expertise. This expertise will be best provided by integrated bio-scientists who are adaptable, flexible, and trained to address new questions that span levels of biological organization and extend to the “non-biological” realm (Wake 2003).