Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics
Open Access

Toward whole-cell models for science and engineering

5^th International Conference on Proteomics & Bioinformatics

September 01-03, 2015 Valencia, Spain

Jonathan Karr

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, USA

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Proteomics Bioinform

Abstract :

A central challenge in biology is to understand how phenotype arises from genotype. Despite decades of research which have produced vast amounts of data, a complete, predictive understanding of biological behavior remains elusive. Computational techniques are needed to assemble this data into a unified understanding. We have developed the first comprehensive whole-cell model. The model predicts the cell cycle dynamics of the gram-positive bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium from the level of individual molecules and their interactions including its metabolism, transcription, translation and replication. We validated the model by comparing its predictions to a wide range of experimental data across several biological processes and scales. We have demonstrated that the model can guide biological discovery. We have used the model to determine how the metabolic network controls the M. genitalium cell cycle in the absence of genetically encoded regulators, enumerate the modes and frequency of M. genitalium stochastic death and determine the kinetic parameters of several M. genitalium metabolic enzymes. We believe that gene-complete models will accelerate bioengineering and medicine by enabling rapid, low cost in silico experimentation, facilitating experimental design and interpretation and ultimately guiding rational biological design.

Biography :

Email: jkarr@alumni.stanford.edu