Dynamical robustness of complex biological networks

Dynamical behavior of biological systems is maintained by interactions between biological units such as neurons, cells, proteins, and molecules. It is a challenging issue to understand robustness of biological interaction networks from a viewpoint of dynamical systems. In this chapter, we introduce the concept of dynamical robustness in complex networks and demonstrate its application to biological networks. First, we introduce the framework for studying the dynamical robustness through analyses of coupled Stuart-Landau oscillators with various types of network structures. Second, based on the framework, we examine the dynamical robustness of neuronal firing activity in networks of synaptically coupled Morris- Lecar neuron models. Our analyses suggest that a consideration of both network structure and dynamics is crucial in elucidating biological robustness.