VALAPODYN: VALIDATED PREDICTIVE DYNAMIC MODEL OF COMPLEX INTRACELLULAR PATHWAYS RELATED TO CELL DEATH AND SURVIVAL

VALAPODYN is a research network funded by the European Commission (6th Framework Program) which is developing an original systems biology approach focused on the development of multidisciplinary functional genomics related to complex biological processes and cellular networks. The aim is to generate an innovative approach to model the dynamics of molecular interaction networks (MIN) in relation to cell death and survival to detect new therapeutic targets to treat human brain diseases. The project consists of fundamental genomics research which is integrating statistical data analysis with real biological data in order to functionally annotate genes and proteins. Specialized genomics and proteomics databases for MIN modeling 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. The novel dynamic models will be validated by testing the selected drug targets on innovative in vivo and in vitro models of CNS pathologies.
As opposed to most current biological data analysis methods, 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 much faster, more efficient and more economical way than it is possible today. (www.valapodyn.eu).