A SYSTEMS BIOLOGY APPROACH TARGETING NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE- FROM GENOMICS TO IN SILICO PREDICTIVE MODELS

VALAPODYN, a European Commission funded research network, is constructing an original system biology approach for the development of multidisciplinary functional genomics related to complex biological processes and cellular networks. The aim is to generate an innovative model on the dynamics of molecular interaction networks (MIN) in relation to cell death and survival for the detection of new therapeutic targets to treat human brain diseases. Proteomic databases are being used along with leading microarray and proteomics platform systems to investigate protein-protein interactions and regulation networks. This will help to identify and validate biological targets in complex intracellular pathways to cure multifactorial diseases. Dynamic modeling specifically addresses the systems biology of complex cellular pathways and transcriptional networks. Novel dynamic models will be validated by testing the selected drug targets on innovative in vivo and in vitro models of CNS pathologies.
The first phase involves fundamental genomics research, integrating statistical data analysis with real biological data in order to functionally annotate genes and proteins. Using Affymetrix microarrays, we are evaluating whole genome expression profiles generated from dissected mouse brains following different treatments at various time points. Through the simultaneous analysis of ~40,000 genes, critical pathways and molecular targets implicated in neurodegeneration are being revealed.
VALAPODYN develops a dynamic and quantitative analysis method for new therapeutic targets through MIN dynamic models. It will provide a cutting-edge highly accurate in silico tool for identifying novel and effective therapeutic targets in a faster, more efficient and more economical way than it is possible today. (www.valapodyn.eu).

dsanoudou@bioacademy.gr