The silicon trypanosome

African trypanosomes have emerged as promising unicellular model organisms for the next generation of systems biology. They offer unique advantages, due to their relative simplicity, the availability of all standard genomics techniques and a long history of quantitative research. Reproducible cultiv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 2010-08, Vol.137 (9), p.1333-1341
Main Authors: BAKKER, BARBARA M., KRAUTH-SIEGEL, R. LUISE, CLAYTON, CHRISTINE, MATTHEWS, KEITH, GIROLAMI, MARK, WESTERHOFF, HANS V., MICHELS, PAUL A. M., BREITLING, RAINER, BARRETT, MICHAEL P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
differentiation
gene expression
metabolism
Parasites
Parasitology - methods
Parasitology - trends
Quantitative research
Silicon
Silicon Cell
Systems Biology - methods
Systems Biology - trends
Trypanosoma
Trypanosoma - genetics
Trypanosoma - metabolism
Trypanosoma brucei
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Summary:African trypanosomes have emerged as promising unicellular model organisms for the next generation of systems biology. They offer unique advantages, due to their relative simplicity, the availability of all standard genomics techniques and a long history of quantitative research. Reproducible cultivation methods exist for morphologically and physiologically distinct life-cycle stages. The genome has been sequenced, and microarrays, RNA-interference and high-accuracy metabolomics are available. Furthermore, the availability of extensive kinetic data on all glycolytic enzymes has led to the early development of a complete, experiment-based dynamic model of an important biochemical pathway. Here we describe the achievements of trypanosome systems biology so far and outline the necessary steps towards the ambitious aim of creating a ‘Silicon Trypanosome’, a comprehensive, experiment-based, multi-scale mathematical model of trypanosome physiology. We expect that, in the long run, the quantitative modelling enabled by the Silicon Trypanosome will play a key role in selecting the most suitable targets for developing new anti-parasite drugs.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S0031182010000466