Social habits of cells may hold key to fighting diseases
Scientists in Manchester, UK, are working to change the social habits of living cells, with the hope of bringing about cleaner and greener fuel and helping to fight diseases such as cancer and diabetes. As part of a new €26 million research project spanning six European countries, the Manchester Centre for Integrative Systems Biology (MCISB) at the University of Manchester will begin new research into an emerging field of science and engineering known as systems biology. Systems biology is a new approach to bioscience that combines theory, computer modelling and experiments. Instead of using the traditional biology approach of observation and experimentation, systems biology uses computer simulations and modelling to process results, design new, more quantitative experiments and generate predictive solutions. Using systems biology, scientists have recently discovered that networking in living cells may determine whether a cell causes diabetes or cancer, for example, or helps to maintain our health. By adjusting and modifying the way cells network, researchers believe it would be possible to adjust the behaviour of living cells and reduce the chances of these diseases occurring. Using this approach, Manchester researchers working on the European Systems Biology of Microorganisms (SysMO) research programme will also drive a project that looks at how the yeast used in the production of beer and bread can be turned into an efficient producer of bioethanol. Other work to be carried out in Manchester as part of SysMO includes the investigation of 'lactobacilli'. Some lactobacilli turn into flesh-eating bacteria or cause human diseases such as strep throat and rashes, whereas others are completely safe and are used in the production of cheeses and yoghurts. Researchers hope the work will lead not only to greater understanding of how 'wrong' networks lead to disease, but also to the more efficient and safe production of drugs and other foods. Academics will also look at 'pseudomonads', soil bacteria that may make people ill, but can also be used to degrade harmful compounds in the environment, or to create compounds now being used by chemical industries. Researchers will also look at 'thermophilic' organisms that live naturally in hot springs, and examine how their networks enable them to survive such high and varying temperatures. It is hoped that this research will reveal how to enable living organisms to cope better with extreme conditions. It may also lead to better performance of detergents and cosmetics. All this research will be carried out in the newly-created €56 million Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre (MIB), which will bring together experts from a wide range of disciplines with the goal of tackling major challenges in quantitative, interdisciplinary bioscience. According to Professor Hans Westerhoff, AstraZeneca Professor of Systems Biology and Director of the Doctoral Training Centre on Systems Biology at the University of Manchester, 'This is a unique opportunity to begin to understand how networking contributes to the functioning of living cells inside and outside our bodies. 'It enables us to integrate the best groups from six European countries and will address four concrete issues of energy, the disease-benefit balance, white biotechnology and robustness,' he said. The SysMO scheme is funding a total of 11 programmes that will run for three years in the first instance. It is being financed by the UK, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Norway.
Countries
Austria, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom