03/02/2009
Defining the Role of Predictive Modeling for Rational Biological Engineering
The Science
The field of genomics is moving toward rational re-engineering of microbes that could provide new technologies for DOE’s energy and environment missions. An article from researchers at the Institute for Systems Biology discusses current research in genomics and the opportunities for significant advances provided by the integration of new technologies such as synthetic biology, systems biology, and predictive modeling. The authors point out that biological systems do not readily adapt to large changes in their metabolic or regulatory systems that alter the balance of energy or resources. New strategies are needed to overcome this obstacle that bring together separate efforts in systems biology and synthetic biology using simultaneous global modeling and systems optimization. This multi-scale approach to experimental characterization and redesign of microbial cells and microbial communities will provide a foundation for applying microbial biology to achieve new sources of energy and to solve problems in environmental contamination.Technologies to synthesize and transplant a complete genome into a cell have opened limitless potential to redesign organisms for complex, specialized tasks. However, large-scale re-engineering of a biological circuit will require systems-level optimization that will come from a deep understanding of operational relationships among all the constituent parts of a cell. The integrated framework necessary for conducting such complex bioengineering requires the convergence of systems and synthetic biology.
Summary
Technologies to synthesize and transplant a complete genome into a cell have opened limitless potential to redesign organisms for complex, specialized tasks. However, large-scale re-engineering of a biological circuit will require systems-level optimization that will come from a deep understanding of operational relationships among all the constituent parts of a cell. The integrated framework necessary for conducting such complex bioengineering requires the convergence of systems and synthetic biology.
References
Koide, T., W. L. Pang, and N. S. Baliga. 2009. “The Role of Predictive Modelling in Rationally Re-engineering Biological Systems,” Nature Reviews Microbiology 7, 297–305. DOI:10.1038/nrmicro2107.