Systems Chemistry attempts to capture the complexity and emergent phenomena commonly found in the life sciences within a wholly synthetic chemical framework. Biological systems operate using complex interconnected signaling and metabolic networks with multiple checkpoint controls and feedback loops allowing biological systems to adapt and respond to external stimuli. In systems chemistry complex dynamic phenomena are expressed by a group of synthetic chemical entities designed to interact and react with many partners in programmed ways.
Whereas in traditional synthetic chemistry approaches, focused on the creation of chemical entities, mixtures of compounds are unwanted features, systems chemistry requires a mixture of components interacting for the emergence of properties at the whole system level.