A new paradigm has emerged for drug development and patient care. It is a
fusion of traditional and modern medicine, or systems and reductionist thinking. In the
21st century, mathematics, the foundation of modern science, is being used to analyze
biological networks to help discover and improve new drugs. In both traditional and
modern medicine, it is important to know about the individual components of cells:
DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, have therefore been described. DNA
can code for proteins and different types of RNAs. The former dogmas that DNA codes
for mRNA, which codes for proteins and one gene codes for one protein, are only partly
right. This does occur, but also pieces of DNA from different chromosomes can be
mixed and matched to make millions of different proteins. There are also epigenetic
mechanisms and special types of RNA (such as miRNA) that can affect the ability of a
gene to be transcribed. There are also mobile genetic elements that can also affect the
phenotype. Sugars and carbohydrates can provide fuel and energy through glycolysis
and the citric acid cycle, as well as bind to proteins, to affect their properties. Lipids
make up the cell membrane and intracellular membranes of internal organelles. Lipids
can interact with proteins and carbohydrates. Specific lipids can bind to important
proteins, affecting their function. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fats are especially healthy
and can help prevent inflammation and resolve its quick appearance.
Keywords: Traditional and modern medicine; systems thinking; autopoiesis;
DNA, RNA, transposons, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids.
