Projects

MESI-STRAT: Systems Medicine of Metabolic-Signaling Networks -A New Concept for Breast Cancer Patient Stratification. Breast cancer is a complex disease with high prevalence in the European Union and world-wide. 75%-80 of the patients have estrogen receptor-positive (ER)-positive tumors and are treated with endocrine therapies. Endocrine therapies, which block ER-driven tumor growth, show high efficacy. Yet, a significant proportion of the patients will eventually relapse with metastatic breast ...

We will systematically analyse large datasets of multiple types to: (i) identify key components affected by age or experimental perturbation; (ii) establish networks of interaction; (iii) develop dynamic computational models based on these networks; (iv) use model selection methods to discriminate between alternative network topologies and generate predictive models. To characterise the data, we will apply an ensemble of methods, including frameworks in R/Bioconductor and toolboxes connected via ...

Systems Biology studies the properties and phenotypes that emerge from the interaction of biomolecules where such properties are not obvious from those of the individual molecules. By connecting fields such as genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, mathematics, cell biology, genetics, mathematics, engineering and computer sciences, Systems Biology enables discovery of yet unknown principles underlying the functioning of living cells. At the same time, testable and predictive models of complex ...

Bistable switches are the key elements of the regulatory networks governing cell development, differentiation and life-strategy decisions. Transcriptional noise is a main determinant that causes switching between different states in bistable systems. By using the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae as a model bacterium, we will investigate how transcriptional fidelity and processivity influence (noisy) gene expression and participate in bistability. To study this question, we will use both ...

Here we share resources and best practices to develop a disease map for COVID-19. The project is progressing as a broad community-driven effort. We aim to establish a knowledge repository on virus-host interaction mechanisms specific to the SARS-CoV-2. The COVID-19 Disease Map is an assembly of molecular interaction diagrams established based on literature evidence.

This project aims to develop an agent based model using the Netlogo package which can then be used for outreach in schools and the wider community. This model represents cellular senescence in skin with the potential for users to explore the effects of combination treatments in silico.

Web application developed using RStudio-Shiny for outreach. Incorporates information, videos and images, worksheets and simulations surrounding cellular senescence and therapy. Incorporates NetLogo simulation from "Outreach - Simulation of cellular senescence using an agent based modelling approach" project.

Overall, we will measure in-vitro and model in-silico the short-term biochemical network dynamics of extra cellular matrix maintenance (ECM) in populations of young, old and senescent dermal fibroblasts. We have shown in previous work that differences in network dynamics are highly informative and provide a means to identify parts of the network that could be targeted to restore healthy function.

The work will be first carried out in 2D culture of human dermal fibroblasts then extended to a novel ...

This project aims to develop an agent based model using the Netlogo package which can then be used for outreach in schools and the wider community. This model represents the development of breast cancer with the potential for users to explore the effects of combination treatments in silico.

Web application developed using RStudio-Shiny for outreach. Incorporates information, videos and images, worksheets and simulations surrounding breast cancer development and therapy. Incorporates NetLogo simulation from "Outreach - Simulation of breast cancer development using an agent based modelling approach" project.

MicroRNAs are a recently discovered group of factors that control cell behaviour. There are thousands of microRNAs, but specific ones control the behaviour of cartilage cells and have key roles in osteoarthritis. Changing the level of a single microRNA can alter osteoarthritis, but we know that several microRNAs change during disease. The group has identified four microRNAs which have key roles in cartilage. This programme seeks:

to show that these microRNAs have a role in osteoarthritis in the ...

BaCell-SysMO 2 Modelling carbon core metabolism in Bacillus subtilis – Exploring the contribution of protein complexes in core carbon and nitrogen metabolism.

Bacillus subtilis is a prime model organism for systems biology approaches because it is one of the most advanced models for functional genomics. Furthermore, comprehensive information on cell and molecular biology, physiology and genetics is available and the European Bacillus community (BACELL) has a well-established reputation for applying ...