Control theory is concerned with designing strategies that ensure the robust performance of a system by automatically adapting to changes in the environment. Biochemical pathways in the cell are responsible for processing environmental signals, inducing appropriate cellular responses, and regulating internal events such as gene expression. Through elaborate mechanisms, they allow cells and entire organisms to perform their basic functions. The key role played by feedback in life are manifested in the homeostatic control and regulation of biochemical pathways, which break down nutrients and provide the cell with energy and materials, and their appropriate timing in functions. Recent years have witnessed remarkable advances in elucidating the components of cellular pathways and networks of genes. They provide a snapshot of the complete genetic activity of a cell, yet the overall connectivity and functional characteristics are still poorly understood - a fundamental lacuna in understand...
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