Nov
25, 2013
(Phys.org)
—Like a complex wiring system, the genetic network within a cell is an
interconnected web of strands communicating to ensure the proper function of an
organism. At Rutgers–Camden, computational biologists are slowly untangling the
web to understand how all the pieces fit together.
The
work is a step toward understanding the regulation of gene expression, which
can help scientists gain insights into genetic diseases like cancer. Genetic diseases are often caused by
abnormalities in gene expression."If we wanted to know how a transistor
radio worked, we would take it apart to see how it's all connected,"
explains Desmond Lun, an associate professor and chair of the Department of
Computer Science at Rutgers–Camden. "That knowledge would also allow us to
modify it or improve it, if we wanted to. You can think of cells in the same
way. If something goes wrong, understanding how everything is connected
would allow us to make it right."
Mathematical
models allow researchers like Lun to study the behavior of a complex system
using a computer simulation, which paints a picture of the regulatory structure
of genetic networks. It helps in reverse engineering, which in this case is the
process of finding which genes are controlling expression in other genes.To
find the answer, he is working with Sweta Sharma, a doctoral student in
computational and integrative biology at Rutgers–Camden, on the mathematical
models.
"When
we study the genetic basis of diseases, we look at certain regulatory
pathways," Sharma says. "Cancer pathways, for example, are not
regulated properly. We can find which genes are causing abnormal regulation and
therefore determine which genes should be targets for drug development to treat
the diseases."
An accurate model of the behavior of
regulatory networks is faster and more efficient than lab experiments and
computational methods have proven to be a valuable research tool.
"This
genetic network wiring diagram would be a huge breakthrough in our understanding
of how human cells work," Lun says. "If we know how everything is
connected, we can stick the whole system into a computer and use a
computational representation of the cell to find the best ways to treat
diseases. We're looking for the blueprint to allow us to achieve that."
The
research is being funded by a grant from the U.S. Army Research Office. A
Philadelphia resident, Lun's other research projects include calculating cell
chemical reaction rates using gene expression; altering the genetic makeup of E. coli to produce
biodiesel fuel derived from fatty acids; using computer modeling to more
accurately analyze DNA evidence; and developing new methods to fight
tuberculosis.
He
earned bachelor's degrees in mathematics and computer engineering from the
University of Melbourne in Australia, and received his master's degree in
electrical engineering and his doctorate in computer science from MIT.
Posted
by: Gauri shah
BII,
Noida
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