Physiology, physiomics, and biophysics: A matter of words

The historical inter-relationship of physiology, physiomics, and biophysics is investigated from the perspective of an etymological exposition. Deriving from the fundamental Greek root physis, commonality in the original meaning of the word-forms is examined, and factors guiding the terminological evolution are described. An intimate connection between physiology and systems biology throughout history is revealed, and parallels to the modern-day directive influence of information technology in scientific advancement are seen at critical times in the past. While supporting the conceptual unity of the physiome notion, an etymological study of the expression physiology also yields semantic import for the understanding of systems biology epistemology today. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.