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Golebiewski M, Bader G, Gleeson P, Gorochowski TE, Keating SM, König M, Myers CJ, Nickerson DP, Sommer B, Waltemath D, Schreiber F. Specifications of standards in systems and synthetic biology: status, developments, and tools in 2024. J Integr Bioinform 2024; 0:jib-2024-0015. [PMID: 39026464 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2024-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Golebiewski
- 40092 Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) , Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Padraig Gleeson
- Dept. of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Sarah M Keating
- Advanced Research Computing Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Matthias König
- 9373 Institute for Biology, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin , Berlin, Germany
| | - Chris J Myers
- Dept. of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Eng., University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA
| | - David P Nickerson
- 428614 Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Dagmar Waltemath
- Medical Informatics Laboratory, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Falk Schreiber
- Dept. of Computer and Information Science, 26567 University of Konstanz , Konstanz, Germany
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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2
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Lange E, Kranert L, Krüger J, Benndorf D, Heyer R. Microbiome modeling: a beginner's guide. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1368377. [PMID: 38962127 PMCID: PMC11220171 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1368377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbiomes, comprised of diverse microbial species and viruses, play pivotal roles in human health, environmental processes, and biotechnological applications and interact with each other, their environment, and hosts via ecological interactions. Our understanding of microbiomes is still limited and hampered by their complexity. A concept improving this understanding is systems biology, which focuses on the holistic description of biological systems utilizing experimental and computational methods. An important set of such experimental methods are metaomics methods which analyze microbiomes and output lists of molecular features. These lists of data are integrated, interpreted, and compiled into computational microbiome models, to predict, optimize, and control microbiome behavior. There exists a gap in understanding between microbiologists and modelers/bioinformaticians, stemming from a lack of interdisciplinary knowledge. This knowledge gap hinders the establishment of computational models in microbiome analysis. This review aims to bridge this gap and is tailored for microbiologists, researchers new to microbiome modeling, and bioinformaticians. To achieve this goal, it provides an interdisciplinary overview of microbiome modeling, starting with fundamental knowledge of microbiomes, metaomics methods, common modeling formalisms, and how models facilitate microbiome control. It concludes with guidelines and repositories for modeling. Each section provides entry-level information, example applications, and important references, serving as a valuable resource for comprehending and navigating the complex landscape of microbiome research and modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Lange
- Multidimensional Omics Data Analysis, Department for Bioanalytics, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., Dortmund, Germany
- Graduate School Digital Infrastructure for the Life Sciences, Bielefeld Institute for Bioinformatics Infrastructure (BIBI), Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lena Kranert
- Institute for Automation Engineering, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jacob Krüger
- Engineering of Software-Intensive Systems, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Dirk Benndorf
- Applied Biosciences and Bioprocess Engineering, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Köthen, Germany
| | - Robert Heyer
- Multidimensional Omics Data Analysis, Department for Bioanalytics, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., Dortmund, Germany
- Graduate School Digital Infrastructure for the Life Sciences, Bielefeld Institute for Bioinformatics Infrastructure (BIBI), Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Multidimensional Omics Data Analysis, Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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3
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Germano DPJ, Osborne JM. Advancements in multicellular simulations. NATURE COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 4:312-313. [PMID: 38698146 DOI: 10.1038/s43588-024-00624-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Domenic P J Germano
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - James M Osborne
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Giannantoni L, Bardini R, Savino A, Di Carlo S. Biology System Description Language (BiSDL): a modeling language for the design of multicellular synthetic biological systems. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:166. [PMID: 38664639 PMCID: PMC11046772 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Biology System Description Language (BiSDL) is an accessible, easy-to-use computational language for multicellular synthetic biology. It allows synthetic biologists to represent spatiality and multi-level cellular dynamics inherent to multicellular designs, filling a gap in the state of the art. Developed for designing and simulating spatial, multicellular synthetic biological systems, BiSDL integrates high-level conceptual design with detailed low-level modeling, fostering collaboration in the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle. BiSDL descriptions directly compile into Nets-Within-Nets (NWNs) models, offering a unique approach to spatial and hierarchical modeling in biological systems. RESULTS BiSDL's effectiveness is showcased through three case studies on complex multicellular systems: a bacterial consortium, a synthetic morphogen system and a conjugative plasmid transfer process. These studies highlight the BiSDL proficiency in representing spatial interactions and multi-level cellular dynamics. The language facilitates the compilation of conceptual designs into detailed, simulatable models, leveraging the NWNs formalism. This enables intuitive modeling of complex biological systems, making advanced computational tools more accessible to a broader range of researchers. CONCLUSIONS BiSDL represents a significant step forward in computational languages for synthetic biology, providing a sophisticated yet user-friendly tool for designing and simulating complex biological systems with an emphasis on spatiality and cellular dynamics. Its introduction has the potential to transform research and development in synthetic biology, allowing for deeper insights and novel applications in understanding and manipulating multicellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Giannantoni
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Roberta Bardini
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Savino
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Carlo
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
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Deepa Maheshvare M, Raha S, König M, Pal D. A pathway model of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in the pancreatic β-cell. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1185656. [PMID: 37600713 PMCID: PMC10433753 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1185656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The pancreas plays a critical role in maintaining glucose homeostasis through the secretion of hormones from the islets of Langerhans. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by the pancreatic β-cell is the main mechanism for reducing elevated plasma glucose. Here we present a systematic modeling workflow for the development of kinetic pathway models using the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML). Steps include retrieval of information from databases, curation of experimental and clinical data for model calibration and validation, integration of heterogeneous data including absolute and relative measurements, unit normalization, data normalization, and model annotation. An important factor was the reproducibility and exchangeability of the model, which allowed the use of various existing tools. The workflow was applied to construct a novel data-driven kinetic model of GSIS in the pancreatic β-cell based on experimental and clinical data from 39 studies spanning 50 years of pancreatic, islet, and β-cell research in humans, rats, mice, and cell lines. The model consists of detailed glycolysis and phenomenological equations for insulin secretion coupled to cellular energy state, ATP dynamics and (ATP/ADP ratio). Key findings of our work are that in GSIS there is a glucose-dependent increase in almost all intermediates of glycolysis. This increase in glycolytic metabolites is accompanied by an increase in energy metabolites, especially ATP and NADH. One of the few decreasing metabolites is ADP, which, in combination with the increase in ATP, results in a large increase in ATP/ADP ratios in the β-cell with increasing glucose. Insulin secretion is dependent on ATP/ADP, resulting in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The observed glucose-dependent increase in glycolytic intermediates and the resulting change in ATP/ADP ratios and insulin secretion is a robust phenomenon observed across data sets, experimental systems and species. Model predictions of the glucose-dependent response of glycolytic intermediates and biphasic insulin secretion are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Our model predicts that factors affecting ATP consumption, ATP formation, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and ATP/ADP-dependent insulin secretion have a major effect on GSIS. In conclusion, we have developed and applied a systematic modeling workflow for pathway models that allowed us to gain insight into key mechanisms in GSIS in the pancreatic β-cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Deepa Maheshvare
- Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Soumyendu Raha
- Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Matthias König
- Institute for Biology, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Debnath Pal
- Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Mazein A, Acencio ML, Balaur I, Rougny A, Welter D, Niarakis A, Ramirez Ardila D, Dogrusoz U, Gawron P, Satagopam V, Gu W, Kremer A, Schneider R, Ostaszewski M. A guide for developing comprehensive systems biology maps of disease mechanisms: planning, construction and maintenance. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 3:1197310. [PMID: 37426048 PMCID: PMC10325725 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2023.1197310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
As a conceptual model of disease mechanisms, a disease map integrates available knowledge and is applied for data interpretation, predictions and hypothesis generation. It is possible to model disease mechanisms on different levels of granularity and adjust the approach to the goals of a particular project. This rich environment together with requirements for high-quality network reconstruction makes it challenging for new curators and groups to be quickly introduced to the development methods. In this review, we offer a step-by-step guide for developing a disease map within its mainstream pipeline that involves using the CellDesigner tool for creating and editing diagrams and the MINERVA Platform for online visualisation and exploration. We also describe how the Neo4j graph database environment can be used for managing and querying efficiently such a resource. For assessing the interoperability and reproducibility we apply FAIR principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mazein
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Marcio Luis Acencio
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Irina Balaur
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | | | - Danielle Welter
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Anna Niarakis
- Université Paris-Saclay, Laboratoire Européen de Recherche Pour la Polyarthrite Rhumatoïde–Genhotel, University Evry, Evry, France
- Lifeware Group, Inria Saclay-Ile de France, Palaiseau, France
| | - Diana Ramirez Ardila
- ITTM Information Technology for Translational Medicine, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxemburg
| | - Ugur Dogrusoz
- Computer Engineering Department, Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Piotr Gawron
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Venkata Satagopam
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- ELIXIR Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Wei Gu
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- ELIXIR Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Andreas Kremer
- ITTM Information Technology for Translational Medicine, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxemburg
| | - Reinhard Schneider
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- ELIXIR Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Marek Ostaszewski
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- ELIXIR Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
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7
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Deepa Maheshvare M, Raha S, König M, Pal D. A Consensus Model of Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in the Pancreatic β -Cell. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.10.532028. [PMID: 36945414 PMCID: PMC10028967 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.10.532028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
The pancreas plays a critical role in maintaining glucose homeostasis through the secretion of hormones from the islets of Langerhans. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by the pancreatic β -cell is the main mechanism for reducing elevated plasma glucose. Here we present a systematic modeling workflow for the development of kinetic pathway models using the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML). Steps include retrieval of information from databases, curation of experimental and clinical data for model calibration and validation, integration of heterogeneous data including absolute and relative measurements, unit normalization, data normalization, and model annotation. An important factor was the reproducibility and exchangeability of the model, which allowed the use of various existing tools. The workflow was applied to construct the first consensus model of GSIS in the pancreatic β -cell based on experimental and clinical data from 39 studies spanning 50 years of pancreatic, islet, and β -cell research in humans, rats, mice, and cell lines. The model consists of detailed glycolysis and equations for insulin secretion coupled to cellular energy state (ATP/ADP ratio). Key findings of our work are that in GSIS there is a glucose-dependent increase in almost all intermediates of glycolysis. This increase in glycolytic metabolites is accompanied by an increase in energy metabolites, especially ATP and NADH. One of the few decreasing metabolites is ADP, which, in combination with the increase in ATP, results in a large increase in ATP/ADP ratios in the β -cell with increasing glucose. Insulin secretion is dependent on ATP/ADP, resulting in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The observed glucose-dependent increase in glycolytic intermediates and the resulting change in ATP/ADP ratios and insulin secretion is a robust phenomenon observed across data sets, experimental systems and species. Model predictions of the glucose-dependent response of glycolytic intermediates and insulin secretion are in good agreement with experimental measurements. Our model predicts that factors affecting ATP consumption, ATP formation, hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and ATP/ADP-dependent insulin secretion have a major effect on GSIS. In conclusion, we have developed and applied a systematic modeling workflow for pathway models that allowed us to gain insight into key mechanisms in GSIS in the pancreatic β -cell.
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Mante J, Abam J, Samineni SP, Pötzsch IM, Beal J, Myers CJ. Excel-SBOL Converter: Creating SBOL from Excel Templates and Vice Versa. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:340-346. [PMID: 36595709 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Standards support synthetic biology research by enabling the exchange of component information. However, using formal representations, such as the Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL), typically requires either a thorough understanding of these standards or a suite of tools developed in concurrence with the ontologies. Since these tools may be a barrier for use by many practitioners, the Excel-SBOL Converter was developed to facilitate the use of SBOL and integration into existing workflows. The converter consists of two Python libraries: one that converts Excel templates to SBOL and another that converts SBOL to an Excel workbook. Both libraries can be used either directly or via a SynBioHub plugin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanet Mante
- University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Julian Abam
- University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Sai P Samineni
- University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | | | - Jacob Beal
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
| | - Chris J Myers
- University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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Balaur I, Roy L, Touré V, Mazein A, Auffray C. GraphML-SBGN bidirectional converter for metabolic networks. J Integr Bioinform 2022; 19:jib-2022-0030. [PMID: 36563404 PMCID: PMC9800040 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2022-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Systems biology researchers need feasible solutions for editing and visualisation of large biological diagrams. Here, we present the ySBGN bidirectional converter that translates metabolic pathways, developed in the general-purpose yEd Graph Editor (using the GraphML format) into the Systems Biology Graphical Notation Markup Language (SBGN-ML) standard format and vice versa. We illustrate the functionality of this converter by applying it to the translation of the ReconMap resource (available in the SBGN-ML format) to the yEd-specific GraphML and back. The ySBGN tool makes possible to draw extensive metabolic diagrams in a powerful general-purpose graph editor while providing results in the standard SBGN format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Balaur
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine, CIRI UMR5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007Lyon, France
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, L-4367Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Ludovic Roy
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine, CIRI UMR5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007Lyon, France
| | - Vasundra Touré
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine, CIRI UMR5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007Lyon, France
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, Realfagbygget, 7491Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexander Mazein
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine, CIRI UMR5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007Lyon, France
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, 6 Avenue du Swing, L-4367Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Cell Biophysics, 3 Institutskaya Street, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia
| | - Charles Auffray
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine, CIRI UMR5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007Lyon, France
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Martins dos Santos V, Anton M, Szomolay B, Ostaszewski M, Arts I, Benfeitas R, Dominguez Del Angel V, Domínguez-Romero E, Ferk P, Fey D, Goble C, Golebiewski M, Gruden K, Heil KF, Hermjakob H, Kahlem P, Klapa MI, Koehorst J, Kolodkin A, Kutmon M, Leskošek B, Moretti S, Müller W, Pagni M, Rezen T, Rocha M, Rozman D, Šafránek D, T. Scott W, Sheriff RSM, Suarez Diez M, Van Steen K, Westerhoff HV, Wittig U, Wolstencroft K, Zupanic A, Evelo CT, Hancock JM. Systems Biology in ELIXIR: modelling in the spotlight. F1000Res 2022; 11:ELIXIR-1265. [PMID: 36742342 PMCID: PMC9871403 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.126734.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In this white paper, we describe the founding of a new ELIXIR Community - the Systems Biology Community - and its proposed future contributions to both ELIXIR and the broader community of systems biologists in Europe and worldwide. The Community believes that the infrastructure aspects of systems biology - databases, (modelling) tools and standards development, as well as training and access to cloud infrastructure - are not only appropriate components of the ELIXIR infrastructure, but will prove key components of ELIXIR's future support of advanced biological applications and personalised medicine. By way of a series of meetings, the Community identified seven key areas for its future activities, reflecting both future needs and previous and current activities within ELIXIR Platforms and Communities. These are: overcoming barriers to the wider uptake of systems biology; linking new and existing data to systems biology models; interoperability of systems biology resources; further development and embedding of systems medicine; provisioning of modelling as a service; building and coordinating capacity building and training resources; and supporting industrial embedding of systems biology. A set of objectives for the Community has been identified under four main headline areas: Standardisation and Interoperability, Technology, Capacity Building and Training, and Industrial Embedding. These are grouped into short-term (3-year), mid-term (6-year) and long-term (10-year) objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Martins dos Santos
- Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Mihail Anton
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, SE-41258, Sweden
| | - Barbara Szomolay
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Marek Ostaszewski
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, L-4367, Luxembourg
| | - Ilja Arts
- Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio), Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Rui Benfeitas
- National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Polonca Ferk
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Centre ELIXIR-SI, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Dirk Fey
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, 4, Ireland
| | - Carole Goble
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies - HITS, Heidelberg, 69118, Germany
| | - Kristina Gruden
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | | | - Henning Hermjakob
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Pascal Kahlem
- Scientific Network Management SL, Barcelona, 08015, Spain
| | - Maria I. Klapa
- Metabolic Engineering & Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras, 26504, Greece
| | - Jasper Koehorst
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708WE, The Netherlands
| | - Alexey Kolodkin
- Competence Center for Methodology and Statistics; Transversal Translational Medicine, Translational Medicine Operations Hub, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, L-1445, Luxembourg
- ISBE.NL, VU University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martina Kutmon
- Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio), Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
- Department of Bioinformatics - BiGCaT, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Brane Leskošek
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Centre ELIXIR-SI, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | | | - Wolfgang Müller
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies - HITS, Heidelberg, 69118, Germany
| | - Marco Pagni
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tadeja Rezen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Miguel Rocha
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - David Šafránek
- Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - William T. Scott
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708WE, The Netherlands
- UNLOCK, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rahuman S. Malik Sheriff
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Maria Suarez Diez
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708WE, The Netherlands
| | - Kristel Van Steen
- BIO3 - Laboratory for Systems Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- BIO3 - Systems Genetics, GIGA-R Medical Genomics, University of Liege, Liege, 4000, Belgium
| | | | - Ulrike Wittig
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies - HITS, Heidelberg, 69118, Germany
| | - Katherine Wolstencroft
- Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Anze Zupanic
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Chris T. Evelo
- Department of Bioinformatics - BiGCaT, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - John M. Hancock
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
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Martins dos Santos V, Anton M, Szomolay B, Ostaszewski M, Arts I, Benfeitas R, Dominguez Del Angel V, Domínguez-Romero E, Ferk P, Fey D, Goble C, Golebiewski M, Gruden K, Heil KF, Hermjakob H, Kahlem P, Klapa MI, Koehorst J, Kolodkin A, Kutmon M, Leskošek B, Moretti S, Müller W, Pagni M, Rezen T, Rocha M, Rozman D, Šafránek D, T. Scott W, Sheriff RSM, Suarez Diez M, Van Steen K, Westerhoff HV, Wittig U, Wolstencroft K, Zupanic A, Evelo CT, Hancock JM. Systems Biology in ELIXIR: modelling in the spotlight. F1000Res 2022; 11:ELIXIR-1265. [PMID: 36742342 PMCID: PMC9871403 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.126734.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In this white paper, we describe the founding of a new ELIXIR Community - the Systems Biology Community - and its proposed future contributions to both ELIXIR and the broader community of systems biologists in Europe and worldwide. The Community believes that the infrastructure aspects of systems biology - databases, (modelling) tools and standards development, as well as training and access to cloud infrastructure - are not only appropriate components of the ELIXIR infrastructure, but will prove key components of ELIXIR's future support of advanced biological applications and personalised medicine. By way of a series of meetings, the Community identified seven key areas for its future activities, reflecting both future needs and previous and current activities within ELIXIR Platforms and Communities. These are: overcoming barriers to the wider uptake of systems biology; linking new and existing data to systems biology models; interoperability of systems biology resources; further development and embedding of systems medicine; provisioning of modelling as a service; building and coordinating capacity building and training resources; and supporting industrial embedding of systems biology. A set of objectives for the Community has been identified under four main headline areas: Standardisation and Interoperability, Technology, Capacity Building and Training, and Industrial Embedding. These are grouped into short-term (3-year), mid-term (6-year) and long-term (10-year) objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor Martins dos Santos
- Laboratory of Bioprocess Engineering, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Mihail Anton
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden, Science for Life Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, SE-41258, Sweden
| | - Barbara Szomolay
- Division of Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Marek Ostaszewski
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, L-4367, Luxembourg
| | - Ilja Arts
- Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio), Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Rui Benfeitas
- National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Polonca Ferk
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Centre ELIXIR-SI, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Dirk Fey
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, 4, Ireland
| | - Carole Goble
- Department of Computer Science, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies - HITS, Heidelberg, 69118, Germany
| | - Kristina Gruden
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | | | - Henning Hermjakob
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Pascal Kahlem
- Scientific Network Management SL, Barcelona, 08015, Spain
| | - Maria I. Klapa
- Metabolic Engineering & Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras, 26504, Greece
| | - Jasper Koehorst
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708WE, The Netherlands
| | - Alexey Kolodkin
- Competence Center for Methodology and Statistics; Transversal Translational Medicine, Translational Medicine Operations Hub, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, L-1445, Luxembourg
- ISBE.NL, VU University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martina Kutmon
- Maastricht Centre for Systems Biology (MaCSBio), Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
- Department of Bioinformatics - BiGCaT, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Brane Leskošek
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Centre ELIXIR-SI, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | | | - Wolfgang Müller
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies - HITS, Heidelberg, 69118, Germany
| | - Marco Pagni
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tadeja Rezen
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Miguel Rocha
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - David Šafránek
- Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University, Brno, 602 00, Czech Republic
| | - William T. Scott
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708WE, The Netherlands
- UNLOCK, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rahuman S. Malik Sheriff
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Maria Suarez Diez
- Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708WE, The Netherlands
| | - Kristel Van Steen
- BIO3 - Laboratory for Systems Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
- BIO3 - Systems Genetics, GIGA-R Medical Genomics, University of Liege, Liege, 4000, Belgium
| | | | - Ulrike Wittig
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies - HITS, Heidelberg, 69118, Germany
| | - Katherine Wolstencroft
- Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science, Leiden University, Leiden, 2333 CA, The Netherlands
| | - Anze Zupanic
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Chris T. Evelo
- Department of Bioinformatics - BiGCaT, NUTRIM, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - John M. Hancock
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
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12
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Eriksson O, Bhalla US, Blackwell KT, Crook SM, Keller D, Kramer A, Linne ML, Saudargienė A, Wade RC, Hellgren Kotaleski J. Combining hypothesis- and data-driven neuroscience modeling in FAIR workflows. eLife 2022; 11:e69013. [PMID: 35792600 PMCID: PMC9259018 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Modeling in neuroscience occurs at the intersection of different points of view and approaches. Typically, hypothesis-driven modeling brings a question into focus so that a model is constructed to investigate a specific hypothesis about how the system works or why certain phenomena are observed. Data-driven modeling, on the other hand, follows a more unbiased approach, with model construction informed by the computationally intensive use of data. At the same time, researchers employ models at different biological scales and at different levels of abstraction. Combining these models while validating them against experimental data increases understanding of the multiscale brain. However, a lack of interoperability, transparency, and reusability of both models and the workflows used to construct them creates barriers for the integration of models representing different biological scales and built using different modeling philosophies. We argue that the same imperatives that drive resources and policy for data - such as the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles - also support the integration of different modeling approaches. The FAIR principles require that data be shared in formats that are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. Applying these principles to models and modeling workflows, as well as the data used to constrain and validate them, would allow researchers to find, reuse, question, validate, and extend published models, regardless of whether they are implemented phenomenologically or mechanistically, as a few equations or as a multiscale, hierarchical system. To illustrate these ideas, we use a classical synaptic plasticity model, the Bienenstock-Cooper-Munro rule, as an example due to its long history, different levels of abstraction, and implementation at many scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Eriksson
- Science for Life Laboratory, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
| | - Upinder Singh Bhalla
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchBangaloreIndia
| | - Kim T Blackwell
- Department of Bioengineering, Volgenau School of Engineering, George Mason UniversityFairfaxUnited States
| | - Sharon M Crook
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State UniversityTempeUnited States
| | - Daniel Keller
- Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Andrei Kramer
- Science for Life Laboratory, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
| | - Marja-Leena Linne
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere UniversityTampereFinland
| | - Ausra Saudargienė
- Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health SciencesKaunasLithuania
- Department of Informatics, Vytautas Magnus UniversityKaunasLithuania
| | - Rebecca C Wade
- Molecular and Cellular Modeling Group, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS)HeidelbergGermany
- Center for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), ZMBH-DKFZ Alliance, University of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR), Heidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Jeanette Hellgren Kotaleski
- Science for Life Laboratory, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska InstituteStockholmSweden
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13
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Schreiber F, Czauderna T. Design considerations for representing systems biology information with the Systems Biology Graphical Notation. J Integr Bioinform 2022; 19:jib-2022-0024. [PMID: 35786424 PMCID: PMC9377698 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2022-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Visual representations are commonly used to explore, analyse, and communicate information and knowledge in systems biology and beyond. Such visualisations not only need to be accurate but should also be aesthetically pleasing and informative. Using the example of the Systems Biology Graphical Notation (SBGN) we will investigate design considerations for graphically presenting information from systems biology, in particular regarding the use of glyphs for types of information, the style of graph layout for network representation, and the concept of bricks for visual network creation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Schreiber
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Tobias Czauderna
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.,Faculty of Applied Computer Sciences & Biosciences, University of Applied Sciences Mittweida, Mittweida, Germany
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14
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Gebhardt T, Touré V, Waltemath D, Wolkenhauer O, Scharm M. Exploring the evolution of biochemical models at the network level. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265735. [PMID: 35312734 PMCID: PMC8936491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of biochemical models is difficult to track. At present, it is not possible to inspect the differences between model versions at the network level. Biochemical models are often constructed in a distributed, non-linear process: collaborators create model versions on different branches from novel information, model extensions, during curation and adaption. To discuss and align the versions, it is helpful to abstract the changes to the network level. The differences between two model versions can be detected by the software tool BiVeS. However, it cannot show the structural changes resulting from the differences. Here, we present a method to visualise the differences between model versions effectively. We developed a JSON schema to communicate the differences at the network level and extended BiVeS accordingly. Additionally, we developed DiVil, a web-based tool to represent the model and the differences as a standardised network using D3. It combines an automatic layout with an interactive user interface to improve the visualisation and to inspect the model. The network can be exported in standardised formats as images or markup language. Our method communicates the structural differences between model versions. It facilitates the discussion of changes and thus supports the collaborative and non-linear nature of model development. Availability and implementation: DiVil prototype: https://divil.bio.informatik.uni-rostock.de, Code on GitHub: https://github.com/Gebbi8/DiVil, licensed under Apache License 2.0. Contact:url="tom.gebhardt@uni-rostock.de.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Gebhardt
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Vasundra Touré
- Personalized Health Informatics Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dagmar Waltemath
- Medical Informatics Laboratory, Institute for Community Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Scharm
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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15
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Collin CB, Gebhardt T, Golebiewski M, Karaderi T, Hillemanns M, Khan FM, Salehzadeh-Yazdi A, Kirschner M, Krobitsch S, Kuepfer L. Computational Models for Clinical Applications in Personalized Medicine—Guidelines and Recommendations for Data Integration and Model Validation. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020166. [PMID: 35207655 PMCID: PMC8879572 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The future development of personalized medicine depends on a vast exchange of data from different sources, as well as harmonized integrative analysis of large-scale clinical health and sample data. Computational-modelling approaches play a key role in the analysis of the underlying molecular processes and pathways that characterize human biology, but they also lead to a more profound understanding of the mechanisms and factors that drive diseases; hence, they allow personalized treatment strategies that are guided by central clinical questions. However, despite the growing popularity of computational-modelling approaches in different stakeholder communities, there are still many hurdles to overcome for their clinical routine implementation in the future. Especially the integration of heterogeneous data from multiple sources and types are challenging tasks that require clear guidelines that also have to comply with high ethical and legal standards. Here, we discuss the most relevant computational models for personalized medicine in detail that can be considered as best-practice guidelines for application in clinical care. We define specific challenges and provide applicable guidelines and recommendations for study design, data acquisition, and operation as well as for model validation and clinical translation and other research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Bjerre Collin
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 N Copenhagen, Denmark; (C.B.C.); (T.K.)
| | - Tom Gebhardt
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.G.); (M.H.); (F.M.K.)
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies gGmbH, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Tugce Karaderi
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 N Copenhagen, Denmark; (C.B.C.); (T.K.)
- Center for Health Data Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 N Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maximilian Hillemanns
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.G.); (M.H.); (F.M.K.)
| | - Faiz Muhammad Khan
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (T.G.); (M.H.); (F.M.K.)
| | | | - Marc Kirschner
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Project Management Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (M.K.); (S.K.)
| | - Sylvia Krobitsch
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Project Management Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany; (M.K.); (S.K.)
| | | | - Lars Kuepfer
- Institute for Systems Medicine with Focus on Organ Interaction, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-241-8085900
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16
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Schreiber F, Gleeson P, Golebiewski M, Gorochowski TE, Hucka M, Keating SM, König M, Myers CJ, Nickerson DP, Sommer B, Waltemath D. Specifications of standards in systems and synthetic biology: status and developments in 2021. J Integr Bioinform 2021; 18:jib-2021-0026. [PMID: 34674411 PMCID: PMC8573232 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2021-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This special issue of the Journal of Integrative Bioinformatics contains updated specifications of COMBINE standards in systems and synthetic biology. The 2021 special issue presents four updates of standards: Synthetic Biology Open Language Visual Version 2.3, Synthetic Biology Open Language Visual Version 3.0, Simulation Experiment Description Markup Language Level 1 Version 4, and OMEX Metadata specification Version 1.2. This document can also be consulted to identify the latest specifications of all COMBINE standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Schreiber
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | | | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Matthias König
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chris J. Myers
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Eng., University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, USA
| | - David P. Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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17
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Touré V, Flobak Å, Niarakis A, Vercruysse S, Kuiper M. The status of causality in biological databases: data resources and data retrieval possibilities to support logical modeling. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:bbaa390. [PMID: 33378765 PMCID: PMC8294520 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Causal molecular interactions represent key building blocks used in computational modeling, where they facilitate the assembly of regulatory networks. Logical regulatory networks can be used to predict biological and cellular behaviors by system perturbations and in silico simulations. Today, broad sets of causal interactions are available in a variety of biological knowledge resources. However, different visions, based on distinct biological interests, have led to the development of multiple ways to describe and annotate causal molecular interactions. It can therefore be challenging to efficiently explore various resources of causal interaction and maintain an overview of recorded contextual information that ensures valid use of the data. This review lists the different types of public resources with causal interactions, the different views on biological processes that they represent, the various data formats they use for data representation and storage, and the data exchange and conversion procedures that are available to extract and download these interactions. This may further raise awareness among the targeted audience, i.e. logical modelers and other scientists interested in molecular causal interactions, but also database managers and curators, about the abundance and variety of causal molecular interaction data, and the variety of tools and approaches to convert them into one interoperable resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasundra Touré
- Department of Biology of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
| | | | - Anna Niarakis
- Department of Biology, Univ Evry, University of Paris-Saclay, affiliated with the laboratory GenHotel in Genopole campus, and a delegate at the Lifeware Group, INRIA Saclay
| | - Steven Vercruysse
- Researcher in computer science and computational biology and focuses on building a bridge between human and computer understanding
| | - Martin Kuiper
- systems biology at the Department of Biology of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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18
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Schölzel C, Blesius V, Ernst G, Dominik A. Characteristics of mathematical modeling languages that facilitate model reuse in systems biology: a software engineering perspective. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2021; 7:27. [PMID: 34083542 PMCID: PMC8175692 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-021-00182-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reuse of mathematical models becomes increasingly important in systems biology as research moves toward large, multi-scale models composed of heterogeneous subcomponents. Currently, many models are not easily reusable due to inflexible or confusing code, inappropriate languages, or insufficient documentation. Best practice suggestions rarely cover such low-level design aspects. This gap could be filled by software engineering, which addresses those same issues for software reuse. We show that languages can facilitate reusability by being modular, human-readable, hybrid (i.e., supporting multiple formalisms), open, declarative, and by supporting the graphical representation of models. Modelers should not only use such a language, but be aware of the features that make it desirable and know how to apply them effectively. For this reason, we compare existing suitable languages in detail and demonstrate their benefits for a modular model of the human cardiac conduction system written in Modelica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Schölzel
- Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Valeria Blesius
- Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gernot Ernst
- Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Kongsberg, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas Dominik
- Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen - University of Applied Sciences, Giessen, Germany
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19
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Zanin M, Aitya NA, Basilio J, Baumbach J, Benis A, Behera CK, Bucholc M, Castiglione F, Chouvarda I, Comte B, Dao TT, Ding X, Pujos-Guillot E, Filipovic N, Finn DP, Glass DH, Harel N, Iesmantas T, Ivanoska I, Joshi A, Boudjeltia KZ, Kaoui B, Kaur D, Maguire LP, McClean PL, McCombe N, de Miranda JL, Moisescu MA, Pappalardo F, Polster A, Prasad G, Rozman D, Sacala I, Sanchez-Bornot JM, Schmid JA, Sharp T, Solé-Casals J, Spiwok V, Spyrou GM, Stalidzans E, Stres B, Sustersic T, Symeonidis I, Tieri P, Todd S, Van Steen K, Veneva M, Wang DH, Wang H, Wang H, Watterson S, Wong-Lin K, Yang S, Zou X, Schmidt HH. An Early Stage Researcher's Primer on Systems Medicine Terminology. NETWORK AND SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021; 4:2-50. [PMID: 33659919 PMCID: PMC7919422 DOI: 10.1089/nsm.2020.0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Systems Medicine is a novel approach to medicine, that is, an interdisciplinary field that considers the human body as a system, composed of multiple parts and of complex relationships at multiple levels, and further integrated into an environment. Exploring Systems Medicine implies understanding and combining concepts coming from diametral different fields, including medicine, biology, statistics, modeling and simulation, and data science. Such heterogeneity leads to semantic issues, which may slow down implementation and fruitful interaction between these highly diverse fields. Methods: In this review, we collect and explain more than100 terms related to Systems Medicine. These include both modeling and data science terms and basic systems medicine terms, along with some synthetic definitions, examples of applications, and lists of relevant references. Results: This glossary aims at being a first aid kit for the Systems Medicine researcher facing an unfamiliar term, where he/she can get a first understanding of them, and, more importantly, examples and references for digging into the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Zanin
- Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nadim A.A. Aitya
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - José Basilio
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Baumbach
- TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Arriel Benis
- Faculty of Technology Management, Holon Institute of Technology (HIT), Holon, Israel
| | - Chandan K. Behera
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Magda Bucholc
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Filippo Castiglione
- CNR National Research Council, IAC Institute for Applied Computing, Rome, Italy
| | - Ioanna Chouvarda
- Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics, and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Blandine Comte
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UNH, Plateforme d'Exploration du Métabolisme, MetaboHUB Clermont, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Tien-Tuan Dao
- Biomechanics and Bioengineering Laboratory (UMR CNRS 7338), Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France
- Labex MS2T “Control of Technological Systems-of-Systems,” CNRS and Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France
| | - Xuemei Ding
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Estelle Pujos-Guillot
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UNH, Plateforme d'Exploration du Métabolisme, MetaboHUB Clermont, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Nenad Filipovic
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Bioengineering Research and Development Center (BioIRC), Kragujevac, Serbia
- Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies Institute doo Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - David P. Finn
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland
| | - David H. Glass
- School of Computing, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Nissim Harel
- Faculty of Sciences, Holon Institute of Technology (HIT), Holon, Israel
| | - Tomas Iesmantas
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Ilinka Ivanoska
- Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Alok Joshi
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Karim Zouaoui Boudjeltia
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine (ULB 222), Medicine Faculty, Université libre de Bruxelles, CHU de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium
| | - Badr Kaoui
- Biomechanics and Bioengineering Laboratory (UMR CNRS 7338), Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France
- Labex MS2T “Control of Technological Systems-of-Systems,” CNRS and Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Compiègne, France
| | - Daman Kaur
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Liam P. Maguire
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Paula L. McClean
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Niamh McCombe
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - João Luís de Miranda
- Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal
- Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente (CERENA), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | | | - Annikka Polster
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Forskningparken, Oslo, Norway
| | - Girijesh Prasad
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Damjana Rozman
- Centre for Functional Genomics and Bio-Chips, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ioan Sacala
- Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Jose M. Sanchez-Bornot
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes A. Schmid
- Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Trevor Sharp
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jordi Solé-Casals
- Data and Signal Processing Research Group, University of Vic–Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- College of Artificial Intelligence, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Vojtěch Spiwok
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - George M. Spyrou
- The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Egils Stalidzans
- Computational Systems Biology Group, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia
| | - Blaž Stres
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tijana Sustersic
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
- Bioengineering Research and Development Center (BioIRC), Kragujevac, Serbia
- Steinbeis Advanced Risk Technologies Institute doo Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ioannis Symeonidis
- Center for Research and Technology Hellas, Hellenic Institute of Transport, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paolo Tieri
- CNR National Research Council, IAC Institute for Applied Computing, Rome, Italy
| | - Stephen Todd
- Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Western Health and Social Care Trust, Altnagelvin, United Kingdom
| | - Kristel Van Steen
- BIO3-Systems Genetics, GIGA-R, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- BIO3-Systems Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Da-Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, and School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- School of Computing, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Computing, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Watterson
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - KongFatt Wong-Lin
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Su Yang
- Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, Ulster University, Ulster, United Kingdom
| | - Xin Zou
- Shanghai Centre for Systems Biomedicine, Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Harald H.H.W. Schmidt
- Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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20
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System Level Knowledge Representation for Metacognition in Neuroscience. Brain Inform 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-86993-9_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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21
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22
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Biomedical Repositories for Simulation Studies. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11684-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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23
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König M. Executable Simulation Model of the Liver. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11682-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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24
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Touré V, Dräger A, Luna A, Dogrusoz U, Rougny A. The Systems Biology Graphical Notation: Current Status and Applications in Systems Medicine. SYSTEMS MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.11515-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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25
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26
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Keating SM, Waltemath D, König M, Zhang F, Dräger A, Chaouiya C, Bergmann FT, Finney A, Gillespie CS, Helikar T, Hoops S, Malik‐Sheriff RS, Moodie SL, Moraru II, Myers CJ, Naldi A, Olivier BG, Sahle S, Schaff JC, Smith LP, Swat MJ, Thieffry D, Watanabe L, Wilkinson DJ, Blinov ML, Begley K, Faeder JR, Gómez HF, Hamm TM, Inagaki Y, Liebermeister W, Lister AL, Lucio D, Mjolsness E, Proctor CJ, Raman K, Rodriguez N, Shaffer CA, Shapiro BE, Stelling J, Swainston N, Tanimura N, Wagner J, Meier‐Schellersheim M, Sauro HM, Palsson B, Bolouri H, Kitano H, Funahashi A, Hermjakob H, Doyle JC, Hucka M. SBML Level 3: an extensible format for the exchange and reuse of biological models. Mol Syst Biol 2020; 16:e9110. [PMID: 32845085 PMCID: PMC8411907 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20199110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Systems biology has experienced dramatic growth in the number, size, and complexity of computational models. To reproduce simulation results and reuse models, researchers must exchange unambiguous model descriptions. We review the latest edition of the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML), a format designed for this purpose. A community of modelers and software authors developed SBML Level 3 over the past decade. Its modular form consists of a core suited to representing reaction-based models and packages that extend the core with features suited to other model types including constraint-based models, reaction-diffusion models, logical network models, and rule-based models. The format leverages two decades of SBML and a rich software ecosystem that transformed how systems biologists build and interact with models. More recently, the rise of multiscale models of whole cells and organs, and new data sources such as single-cell measurements and live imaging, has precipitated new ways of integrating data with models. We provide our perspectives on the challenges presented by these developments and how SBML Level 3 provides the foundation needed to support this evolution.
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27
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Schreiber F, Sommer B, Czauderna T, Golebiewski M, Gorochowski TE, Hucka M, Keating SM, König M, Myers C, Nickerson D, Waltemath D. Specifications of standards in systems and synthetic biology: status and developments in 2020. J Integr Bioinform 2020; 17:jib-2020-0022. [PMID: 32598316 PMCID: PMC7756620 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2020-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This special issue of the Journal of Integrative Bioinformatics presents papers related to the 10th COMBINE meeting together with the annual update of COMBINE standards in systems and synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Schreiber
- Dept. of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Tobias Czauderna
- Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Matthias König
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chris Myers
- Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - David Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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28
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Waltemath D, Golebiewski M, Blinov ML, Gleeson P, Hermjakob H, Hucka M, Inau ET, Keating SM, König M, Krebs O, Malik-Sheriff RS, Nickerson D, Oberortner E, Sauro HM, Schreiber F, Smith L, Stefan MI, Wittig U, Myers CJ. The first 10 years of the international coordination network for standards in systems and synthetic biology (COMBINE). J Integr Bioinform 2020; 17:jib-2020-0005. [PMID: 32598315 PMCID: PMC7756615 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2020-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a report on outcomes of the 10th Computational Modeling in Biology Network (COMBINE) meeting that was held in Heidelberg, Germany, in July of 2019. The annual event brings together researchers, biocurators and software engineers to present recent results and discuss future work in the area of standards for systems and synthetic biology. The COMBINE initiative coordinates the development of various community standards and formats for computational models in the life sciences. Over the past 10 years, COMBINE has brought together standard communities that have further developed and harmonized their standards for better interoperability of models and data. COMBINE 2019 was co-located with a stakeholder workshop of the European EU-STANDS4PM initiative that aims at harmonized data and model standardization for in silico models in the field of personalized medicine, as well as with the FAIRDOM PALs meeting to discuss findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) data sharing. This report briefly describes the work discussed in invited and contributed talks as well as during breakout sessions. It also highlights recent advancements in data, model, and annotation standardization efforts. Finally, this report concludes with some challenges and opportunities that this community will face during the next 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Waltemath
- Medical Informatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Padraig Gleeson
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Michael Hucka
- Computing and Mathematical Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Esther Thea Inau
- Medical Informatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Matthias König
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olga Krebs
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - David Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ernst Oberortner
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Lawrence Berkeley National Labs, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Herbert M Sauro
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Falk Schreiber
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University ofKonstanz, Germany.,Faculty of IT, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lucian Smith
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Melanie I Stefan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,ZJU-UoE Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China.,University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ulrike Wittig
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chris J Myers
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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29
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Lang PF, Chebaro Y, Zheng X, P Sekar JA, Shaikh B, Natale DA, Karr JR. BpForms and BcForms: a toolkit for concretely describing non-canonical polymers and complexes to facilitate global biochemical networks. Genome Biol 2020; 21:117. [PMID: 32423472 PMCID: PMC7236495 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02025-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-canonical residues, caps, crosslinks, and nicks are important to many functions of DNAs, RNAs, proteins, and complexes. However, we do not fully understand how networks of such non-canonical macromolecules generate behavior. One barrier is our limited formats for describing macromolecules. To overcome this barrier, we develop BpForms and BcForms, a toolkit for representing the primary structure of macromolecules as combinations of residues, caps, crosslinks, and nicks. The toolkit can help omics researchers perform quality control and exchange information about macromolecules, help systems biologists assemble global models of cells that encompass processes such as post-translational modification, and help bioengineers design cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul F Lang
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Yassmine Chebaro
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67404, France
| | - Xiaoyue Zheng
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
| | - John A P Sekar
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
| | - Bilal Shaikh
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA
| | - Darren A Natale
- Protein Information Resource, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Jonathan R Karr
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, 10029, NY, USA.
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30
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Bartley BA, Beal J, Karr JR, Strychalski EA. Organizing genome engineering for the gigabase scale. Nat Commun 2020; 11:689. [PMID: 32019919 PMCID: PMC7000699 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14314-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-scale engineering holds great potential to impact science, industry, medicine, and society, and recent improvements in DNA synthesis have enabled the manipulation of megabase genomes. However, coordinating and integrating the workflows and large teams necessary for gigabase genome engineering remains a considerable challenge. We examine this issue and recommend a path forward by: 1) adopting and extending existing representations for designs, assembly plans, samples, data, and workflows; 2) developing new technologies for data curation and quality control; 3) conducting fundamental research on genome-scale modeling and design; and 4) developing new legal and contractual infrastructure to facilitate collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob Beal
- Raytheon BBN Technologies, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Jonathan R Karr
- Icahn Institute and Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10128, USA
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31
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Schreiber F, Sommer B, Bader GD, Gleeson P, Golebiewski M, Hucka M, Keating SM, König M, Myers C, Nickerson D, Waltemath D. Specifications of Standards in Systems and Synthetic Biology: Status and Developments in 2019. J Integr Bioinform 2019; 16:/j/jib.2019.16.issue-2/jib-2019-0035/jib-2019-0035.xml. [PMID: 31301675 PMCID: PMC6798822 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2019-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This special issue of the Journal of Integrative Bioinformatics presents an overview of COMBINE standards and their latest specifications. The standards cover representation formats for computational modeling in synthetic and systems biology and include BioPAX, CellML, NeuroML, SBML, SBGN, SBOL and SED-ML. The articles in this issue contain updated specifications of SBGN Process Description Level 1 Version 2, SBML Level 3 Core Version 2 Release 2, SBOL Version 2.3.0, and SBOL Visual Version 2.1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Schreiber
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Faculty of IT, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Björn Sommer
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Gary D. Bader
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Padraig Gleeson
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Hucka
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - David Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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32
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Burrowes KS, Iravani A, Kang W. Integrated lung tissue mechanics one piece at a time: Computational modeling across the scales of biology. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 2019; 66:20-31. [PMID: 29352607 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The lung is a delicately balanced and highly integrated mechanical system. Lung tissue is continuously exposed to the environment via the air we breathe, making it susceptible to damage. As a consequence, respiratory diseases present a huge burden on society and their prevalence continues to rise. Emergent function is produced not only by the sum of the function of its individual components but also by the complex feedback and interactions occurring across the biological scales - from genes to proteins, cells, tissue and whole organ - and back again. Computational modeling provides the necessary framework for pulling apart and putting back together the pieces of the body and organ systems so that we can fully understand how they function in both health and disease. In this review, we discuss models of lung tissue mechanics spanning from the protein level (the extracellular matrix) through to the level of cells, tissue and whole organ, many of which have been developed in isolation. This is a vital step in the process but to understand the emergent behavior of the lung, we must work towards integrating these component parts and accounting for feedback across the scales, such as mechanotransduction. These interactions will be key to unlocking the mechanisms occurring in disease and in seeking new pharmacological targets and improving personalized healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly S Burrowes
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, 2-6 Park Avenue, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, 70 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Amin Iravani
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, 2-6 Park Avenue, Auckland 1023, New Zealand.
| | - Wendy Kang
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, 70 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
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33
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Millar AJ, Urquiza U, Freeman PL, Hume A, Plotkin GD, Sorokina O, Zardilis A, Zielinski T. Practical steps to digital organism models, from laboratory model species to 'Crops in silico. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2019; 70:2403-2418. [PMID: 30615184 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ery435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A recent initiative named 'Crops in silico' proposes that multi-scale models 'have the potential to fill in missing mechanistic details and generate new hypotheses to prioritize directed engineering efforts' in plant science, particularly directed to crop species. To that end, the group called for 'a paradigm shift in plant modelling, from largely isolated efforts to a connected community'. 'Wet' (experimental) research has been especially productive in plant science, since the adoption of Arabidopsis thaliana as a laboratory model species allowed the emergence of an Arabidopsis research community. Parts of this community invested in 'dry' (theoretical) research, under the rubric of Systems Biology. Our past research combined concepts from Systems Biology and crop modelling. Here we outline the approaches that seem most relevant to connected, 'digital organism' initiatives. We illustrate the scale of experimental research required, by collecting the kinetic parameter values that are required for a quantitative, dynamic model of a gene regulatory network. By comparison with the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) community, we note computational resources and community structures that will help to realize the potential for plant Systems Biology to connect with a broader crop science community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Millar
- SynthSys and School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Uriel Urquiza
- SynthSys and School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Alastair Hume
- SynthSys and School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- EPCC, Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gordon D Plotkin
- Laboratory for the Foundations of Computer Science, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Oxana Sorokina
- Institute for Adaptive and Neural Computation, School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Argyris Zardilis
- SynthSys and School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tomasz Zielinski
- SynthSys and School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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34
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Neal ML, König M, Nickerson D, Mısırlı G, Kalbasi R, Dräger A, Atalag K, Chelliah V, Cooling MT, Cook DL, Crook S, de Alba M, Friedman SH, Garny A, Gennari JH, Gleeson P, Golebiewski M, Hucka M, Juty N, Myers C, Olivier BG, Sauro HM, Scharm M, Snoep JL, Touré V, Wipat A, Wolkenhauer O, Waltemath D. Harmonizing semantic annotations for computational models in biology. Brief Bioinform 2019; 20:540-550. [PMID: 30462164 PMCID: PMC6433895 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bby087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Life science researchers use computational models to articulate and test hypotheses about the behavior of biological systems. Semantic annotation is a critical component for enhancing the interoperability and reusability of such models as well as for the integration of the data needed for model parameterization and validation. Encoded as machine-readable links to knowledge resource terms, semantic annotations describe the computational or biological meaning of what models and data represent. These annotations help researchers find and repurpose models, accelerate model composition and enable knowledge integration across model repositories and experimental data stores. However, realizing the potential benefits of semantic annotation requires the development of model annotation standards that adhere to a community-based annotation protocol. Without such standards, tool developers must account for a variety of annotation formats and approaches, a situation that can become prohibitively cumbersome and which can defeat the purpose of linking model elements to controlled knowledge resource terms. Currently, no consensus protocol for semantic annotation exists among the larger biological modeling community. Here, we report on the landscape of current annotation practices among the COmputational Modeling in BIology NEtwork community and provide a set of recommendations for building a consensus approach to semantic annotation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Lewis Neal
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle, USA
| | - Matthias König
- Department of Biology, Humboldt-University Berlin, Institute for Theoretical Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ
| | - Göksel Mısırlı
- School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Keele, UK
| | - Reza Kalbasi
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ
| | - Andreas Dräger
- Computational Systems Biology of Infection and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens, Center for Bioinformatics Tübingen (ZBIT), University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Koray Atalag
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ
| | - Vijayalakshmi Chelliah
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael T Cooling
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ
| | - Daniel L Cook
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sharon Crook
- School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | - Miguel de Alba
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Alan Garny
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, NZ
| | - John H Gennari
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Padraig Gleeson
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS gGmbH), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Hucka
- Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Nick Juty
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Chris Myers
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Brett G Olivier
- Systems Bioinformatics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Modelling of Biological Processes, BioQUANT/COS, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Herbert M Sauro
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Martin Scharm
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jacky L Snoep
- Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
- Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Manchester Institute for Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Vasundra Touré
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Anil Wipat
- School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Dagmar Waltemath
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Exley K, Reynolds CR, Suckling L, Chee SM, Tsipa A, Freemont PS, McClymont D, Kitney RI. Utilising datasheets for the informed automated design and build of a synthetic metabolic pathway. J Biol Eng 2019; 13:8. [PMID: 30675181 PMCID: PMC6339355 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-019-0141-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The automation of modular cloning methodologies permits the assembly of many genetic designs. Utilising characterised biological parts aids in the design and redesign of genetic pathways. The characterisation information held on datasheets can be used to determine whether a biological part meets the design requirements. To manage the design of genetic pathways, researchers have turned to modelling-based computer aided design software tools. RESULT An automated workflow has been developed for the design and build of heterologous metabolic pathways. In addition, to demonstrate the powers of electronic datasheets we have developed software which can transfer part information from a datasheet to the Design of Experiment software JMP. To this end we were able to use Design of Experiment software to rationally design and test randomised samples from the design space of a lycopene pathway in E. coli. This pathway was optimised by individually modulating the promoter strength, RBS strength, and gene order targets. CONCLUSION The use of standardised and characterised biological parts will empower a design-oriented synthetic biology for the forward engineering of heterologous expression systems. A Design of Experiment approach streamlines the design-build-test cycle to achieve optimised solutions in biodesign. Developed automated workflows provide effective transfer of information between characterised information (in the form of datasheets) and DoE software.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kealan Exley
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Christopher Robert Reynolds
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lorna Suckling
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- The London DNA Foundry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Soo Mei Chee
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- SynbiCITE, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Argyro Tsipa
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- SynbiCITE, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul S. Freemont
- SynbiCITE, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Section of Structural Biology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Richard Ian Kitney
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
- SynbiCITE, Imperial College London, London, UK
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36
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Stanford NJ, Scharm M, Dobson PD, Golebiewski M, Hucka M, Kothamachu VB, Nickerson D, Owen S, Pahle J, Wittig U, Waltemath D, Goble C, Mendes P, Snoep J. Data Management in Computational Systems Biology: Exploring Standards, Tools, Databases, and Packaging Best Practices. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 2049:285-314. [PMID: 31602618 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9736-7_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Computational systems biology involves integrating heterogeneous datasets in order to generate models. These models can assist with understanding and prediction of biological phenomena. Generating datasets and integrating them into models involves a wide range of scientific expertise. As a result these datasets are often collected by one set of researchers, and exchanged with others researchers for constructing the models. For this process to run smoothly the data and models must be FAIR-findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. In order for data and models to be FAIR they must be structured in consistent and predictable ways, and described sufficiently for other researchers to understand them. Furthermore, these data and models must be shared with other researchers, with appropriately controlled sharing permissions, before and after publication. In this chapter we explore the different data and model standards that assist with structuring, describing, and sharing. We also highlight the popular standards and sharing databases within computational systems biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Scharm
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Paul D Dobson
- School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Hucka
- Computing and Mathematical Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - David Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stuart Owen
- School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jürgen Pahle
- BIOMS/BioQuant, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Wittig
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dagmar Waltemath
- Medical Informatics, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Carole Goble
- School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Pedro Mendes
- Centre for Quantitative Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Jacky Snoep
- School of Computer Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Viswan NA, HarshaRani GV, Stefan MI, Bhalla US. FindSim: A Framework for Integrating Neuronal Data and Signaling Models. Front Neuroinform 2018; 12:38. [PMID: 29997492 PMCID: PMC6028806 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2018.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Current experiments touch only small but overlapping parts of very complex subcellular signaling networks in neurons. Even with modern optical reporters and pharmacological manipulations, a given experiment can only monitor and control a very small subset of the diverse, multiscale processes of neuronal signaling. We have developed FindSim (Framework for Integrating Neuronal Data and SIgnaling Models) to anchor models to structured experimental datasets. FindSim is a framework for integrating many individual electrophysiological and biochemical experiments with large, multiscale models so as to systematically refine and validate the model. We use a structured format for encoding the conditions of many standard physiological and pharmacological experiments, specifying which parts of the model are involved, and comparing experiment outcomes with model output. A database of such experiments is run against successive generations of composite cellular models to iteratively improve the model against each experiment, while retaining global model validity. We suggest that this toolchain provides a principled and scalable way to tackle model complexity and diversity of data sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha A Viswan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India.,Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Melanie I Stefan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,ZJU-UoE Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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38
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Schreiber F, Bader GD, Gleeson P, Golebiewski M, Hucka M, Keating SM, Novère NL, Myers C, Nickerson D, Sommer B, Waltemath D. Specifications of Standards in Systems and Synthetic Biology: Status and Developments in 2017. J Integr Bioinform 2018; 15:/j/jib.2018.15.issue-1/jib-2018-0013/jib-2018-0013.xml. [PMID: 29596055 PMCID: PMC6167034 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2018-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Standards are essential to the advancement of Systems and Synthetic Biology. COMBINE provides a formal body and a centralised platform to help develop and disseminate relevant standards and related resources. The regular special issue of the Journal of Integrative Bioinformatics aims to support the exchange, distribution and archiving of these standards by providing unified, easily citable access. This paper provides an overview of existing COMBINE standards and presents developments of the last year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Schreiber
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Faculty of IT, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Gary D. Bader
- The Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Padraig Gleeson
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Martin Golebiewski
- Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Hucka
- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - David Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Björn Sommer
- Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Faculty of IT, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
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39
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Hartmann A, Jozefowicz AM. VANTED: A Tool for Integrative Visualization and Analysis of -Omics Data. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1696:261-278. [PMID: 29086410 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7411-5_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The investigation of biological systems from different perspectives leads, due to novel -omics technologies, to large-scale, heterogeneous, and complex datasets. To elucidate molecular programs that control biological systems growth and development the integration and analysis of these -omics data remains challenging. Network-integrated visualizations based on graphical standards support intuitive exploration and interpretation of -omics data within the functional context. This integrated vision of the biological system to be studied tries to extract all hidden information for deepening our understanding and reveals new biological insights.The method described here gives detailed instructions on the generation of such an integrative visualization of -omics data in the context of networks presented in the Systems Biology Graphical Notation (SBGN) using VANTED; a software tool for systems biology applications. An example illustrates the application of the method for metabolomics and proteomics data integration and analysis using a primary metabolic pathway, for the model crop potato.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hartmann
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany.
| | - Anna Maria Jozefowicz
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), Gatersleben, Germany
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40
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Sarma GP, Faundez V. Integrative biological simulation praxis: Considerations from physics, philosophy, and data/model curation practices. CELLULAR LOGISTICS 2017; 7:e1392400. [PMID: 29296511 PMCID: PMC5739097 DOI: 10.1080/21592799.2017.1392400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Integrative biological simulations have a varied and controversial history in the biological sciences. From computational models of organelles, cells, and simple organisms, to physiological models of tissues, organ systems, and ecosystems, a diverse array of biological systems have been the target of large-scale computational modeling efforts. Nonetheless, these research agendas have yet to prove decisively their value among the broader community of theoretical and experimental biologists. In this commentary, we examine a range of philosophical and practical issues relevant to understanding the potential of integrative simulations. We discuss the role of theory and modeling in different areas of physics and suggest that certain sub-disciplines of physics provide useful cultural analogies for imagining the future role of simulations in biological research. We examine philosophical issues related to modeling which consistently arise in discussions about integrative simulations and suggest a pragmatic viewpoint that balances a belief in philosophy with the recognition of the relative infancy of our state of philosophical understanding. Finally, we discuss community workflow and publication practices to allow research to be readily discoverable and amenable to incorporation into simulations. We argue that there are aligned incentives in widespread adoption of practices which will both advance the needs of integrative simulation efforts as well as other contemporary trends in the biological sciences, ranging from open science and data sharing to improving reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gopal P Sarma
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Victor Faundez
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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41
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A standard-enabled workflow for synthetic biology. Biochem Soc Trans 2017; 45:793-803. [PMID: 28620041 DOI: 10.1042/bst20160347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A synthetic biology workflow is composed of data repositories that provide information about genetic parts, sequence-level design tools to compose these parts into circuits, visualization tools to depict these designs, genetic design tools to select parts to create systems, and modeling and simulation tools to evaluate alternative design choices. Data standards enable the ready exchange of information within such a workflow, allowing repositories and tools to be connected from a diversity of sources. The present paper describes one such workflow that utilizes, among others, the Synthetic Biology Open Language (SBOL) to describe genetic designs, the Systems Biology Markup Language to model these designs, and SBOL Visual to visualize these designs. We describe how a standard-enabled workflow can be used to produce types of design information, including multiple repositories and software tools exchanging information using a variety of data standards. Recently, the ACS Synthetic Biology journal has recommended the use of SBOL in their publications.
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42
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Data management and data enrichment for systems biology projects. J Biotechnol 2017; 261:229-237. [PMID: 28606610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Collecting, curating, interlinking, and sharing high quality data are central to de.NBI-SysBio, the systems biology data management service center within the de.NBI network (German Network for Bioinformatics Infrastructure). The work of the center is guided by the FAIR principles for scientific data management and stewardship. FAIR stands for the four foundational principles Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability which were established to enhance the ability of machines to automatically find, access, exchange and use data. Within this overview paper we describe three tools (SABIO-RK, Excemplify, SEEK) that exemplify the contribution of de.NBI-SysBio services to FAIR data, models, and experimental methods storage and exchange. The interconnectivity of the tools and the data workflow within systems biology projects will be explained. For many years we are the German partner in the FAIRDOM initiative (http://fair-dom.org) to establish a European data and model management service facility for systems biology.
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43
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Bergmann FT, Nickerson D, Waltemath D, Scharm M. SED-ML web tools: generate, modify and export standard-compliant simulation studies. Bioinformatics 2017; 33:1253-1254. [PMID: 28049131 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btw812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Summary The Simulation Experiment Description Markup Language (SED-ML) is a standardized format for exchanging simulation studies independently of software tools. We present the SED-ML Web Tools, an online application for creating, editing, simulating and validating SED-ML documents. The Web Tools implement all current SED-ML specifications and, thus, support complex modifications and co-simulation of models in SBML and CellML formats. Ultimately, the Web Tools lower the bar on working with SED-ML documents and help users create valid simulation descriptions. Availability and Implementation http://sysbioapps.dyndns.org/SED-ML_Web_Tools/ . Contact fbergman@caltech.edu .
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Nickerson
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Dagmar Waltemath
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martin Scharm
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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44
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Specifications of Standards in Systems and Synthetic Biology: Status and Developments in 2016. J Integr Bioinform 2016; 13:289. [PMID: 28187405 PMCID: PMC5431574 DOI: 10.2390/biecoll-jib-2016-289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Standards are essential to the advancement of science and technology. In systems and synthetic biology, numerous standards and associated tools have been developed over the last 16 years. This special issue of the Journal of Integrative Bioinformatics aims to support the exchange, distribution and archiving of these standards, as well as to provide centralised and easily citable access to them.
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45
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Touré V, Mazein A, Waltemath D, Balaur I, Saqi M, Henkel R, Pellet J, Auffray C. STON: exploring biological pathways using the SBGN standard and graph databases. BMC Bioinformatics 2016; 17:494. [PMID: 27919219 PMCID: PMC5139139 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-016-1394-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background When modeling in Systems Biology and Systems Medicine, the data is often extensive, complex and heterogeneous. Graphs are a natural way of representing biological networks. Graph databases enable efficient storage and processing of the encoded biological relationships. They furthermore support queries on the structure of biological networks. Results We present the Java-based framework STON (SBGN TO Neo4j). STON imports and translates metabolic, signalling and gene regulatory pathways represented in the Systems Biology Graphical Notation into a graph-oriented format compatible with the Neo4j graph database. Conclusion STON exploits the power of graph databases to store and query complex biological pathways. This advances the possibility of: i) identifying subnetworks in a given pathway; ii) linking networks across different levels of granularity to address difficulties related to incomplete knowledge representation at single level; and iii) identifying common patterns between pathways in the database. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-016-1394-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasundra Touré
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, 18051, Germany. .,European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine (EISBM), CIRI UMR 5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, Lyon, 69007, France.
| | - Alexander Mazein
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine (EISBM), CIRI UMR 5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, Lyon, 69007, France
| | - Dagmar Waltemath
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, 18051, Germany
| | - Irina Balaur
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine (EISBM), CIRI UMR 5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, Lyon, 69007, France
| | - Mansoor Saqi
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine (EISBM), CIRI UMR 5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, Lyon, 69007, France
| | - Ron Henkel
- Scientific Databases and Visualization, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Business Information Systems, University of Rostock, Rostock, 18051, Germany
| | - Johann Pellet
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine (EISBM), CIRI UMR 5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, Lyon, 69007, France
| | - Charles Auffray
- European Institute for Systems Biology and Medicine (EISBM), CIRI UMR 5308, CNRS-ENS-UCBL-INSERM, Université de Lyon, 50 Avenue Tony Garnier, Lyon, 69007, France
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Waltemath D, Karr JR, Bergmann FT, Chelliah V, Hucka M, Krantz M, Liebermeister W, Mendes P, Myers CJ, Pir P, Alaybeyoglu B, Aranganathan NK, Baghalian K, Bittig AT, Burke PEP, Cantarelli M, Chew YH, Costa RS, Cursons J, Czauderna T, Goldberg AP, Gomez HF, Hahn J, Hameri T, Gardiol DFH, Kazakiewicz D, Kiselev I, Knight-Schrijver V, Knupfer C, Konig M, Lee D, Lloret-Villas A, Mandrik N, Medley JK, Moreau B, Naderi-Meshkin H, Palaniappan SK, Priego-Espinosa D, Scharm M, Sharma M, Smallbone K, Stanford NJ, Song JH, Theile T, Tokic M, Tomar N, Toure V, Uhlendorf J, Varusai TM, Watanabe LH, Wendland F, Wolfien M, Yurkovich JT, Zhu Y, Zardilis A, Zhukova A, Schreiber F. Toward Community Standards and Software for Whole-Cell Modeling. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2016; 63:2007-14. [PMID: 27305665 PMCID: PMC5451320 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2016.2560762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Whole-cell (WC) modeling is a promising tool for biological research, bioengineering, and medicine. However, substantial work remains to create accurate comprehensive models of complex cells. METHODS We organized the 2015 Whole-Cell Modeling Summer School to teach WC modeling and evaluate the need for new WC modeling standards and software by recoding a recently published WC model in the Systems Biology Markup Language. RESULTS Our analysis revealed several challenges to representing WC models using the current standards. CONCLUSION We, therefore, propose several new WC modeling standards, software, and databases. SIGNIFICANCE We anticipate that these new standards and software will enable more comprehensive models.
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47
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McDougal RA, Bulanova AS, Lytton WW. Reproducibility in Computational Neuroscience Models and Simulations. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2016; 63:2021-35. [PMID: 27046845 PMCID: PMC5016202 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2016.2539602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Like all scientific research, computational neuroscience research must be reproducible. Big data science, including simulation research, cannot depend exclusively on journal articles as the method to provide the sharing and transparency required for reproducibility. METHODS Ensuring model reproducibility requires the use of multiple standard software practices and tools, including version control, strong commenting and documentation, and code modularity. RESULTS Building on these standard practices, model-sharing sites and tools have been developed that fit into several categories: 1) standardized neural simulators; 2) shared computational resources; 3) declarative model descriptors, ontologies, and standardized annotations; and 4) model-sharing repositories and sharing standards. CONCLUSION A number of complementary innovations have been proposed to enhance sharing, transparency, and reproducibility. The individual user can be encouraged to make use of version control, commenting, documentation, and modularity in development of models. The community can help by requiring model sharing as a condition of publication and funding. SIGNIFICANCE Model management will become increasingly important as multiscale models become larger, more detailed, and correspondingly more difficult to manage by any single investigator or single laboratory. Additional big data management complexity will come as the models become more useful in interpreting experiments, thus increasing the need to ensure clear alignment between modeling data, both parameters and results, and experiment.
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48
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Medley JK, Goldberg AP, Karr JR. Guidelines for Reproducibly Building and Simulating Systems Biology Models. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2016; 63:2015-20. [PMID: 27429432 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2016.2591960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reproducibility is the cornerstone of the scientific method. However, currently, many systems biology models cannot easily be reproduced. This paper presents methods that address this problem. METHODS We analyzed the recent Mycoplasma genitalium whole-cell (WC) model to determine the requirements for reproducible modeling. RESULTS We determined that reproducible modeling requires both repeatable model building and repeatable simulation. CONCLUSION New standards and simulation software tools are needed to enhance and verify the reproducibility of modeling. New standards are needed to explicitly document every data source and assumption, and new deterministic parallel simulation tools are needed to quickly simulate large, complex models. SIGNIFICANCE We anticipate that these new standards and software will enable researchers to reproducibly build and simulate more complex models, including WC models.
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49
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Lewis J, Breeze CE, Charlesworth J, Maclaren OJ, Cooper J. Where next for the reproducibility agenda in computational biology? BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2016; 10:52. [PMID: 27422148 PMCID: PMC4946111 DOI: 10.1186/s12918-016-0288-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background The concept of reproducibility is a foundation of the scientific method. With the arrival of fast and powerful computers over the last few decades, there has been an explosion of results based on complex computational analyses and simulations. The reproducibility of these results has been addressed mainly in terms of exact replicability or numerical equivalence, ignoring the wider issue of the reproducibility of conclusions through equivalent, extended or alternative methods. Results We use case studies from our own research experience to illustrate how concepts of reproducibility might be applied in computational biology. Several fields have developed ‘minimum information’ checklists to support the full reporting of computational simulations, analyses and results, and standardised data formats and model description languages can facilitate the use of multiple systems to address the same research question. We note the importance of defining the key features of a result to be reproduced, and the expected agreement between original and subsequent results. Dynamic, updatable tools for publishing methods and results are becoming increasingly common, but sometimes come at the cost of clear communication. In general, the reproducibility of computational research is improving but would benefit from additional resources and incentives. Conclusions We conclude with a series of linked recommendations for improving reproducibility in computational biology through communication, policy, education and research practice. More reproducible research will lead to higher quality conclusions, deeper understanding and more valuable knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lewis
- Centre for Maths and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology, University College London, Physics Building, Gower Place, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. .,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Modelling Methodology, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
| | - Charles E Breeze
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, 72 Huntley St, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Jane Charlesworth
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Oliver J Maclaren
- Department of Mathematics, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.,Department of Engineering Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Jonathan Cooper
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Wolfson Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QD, UK
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Scharm M, Waltemath D, Mendes P, Wolkenhauer O. COMODI: an ontology to characterise differences in versions of computational models in biology. J Biomed Semantics 2016; 7:46. [PMID: 27401413 PMCID: PMC4940905 DOI: 10.1186/s13326-016-0080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Open model repositories provide ready-to-reuse computational models of biological systems. Models within those repositories evolve over time, leading to different model versions. Taken together, the underlying changes reflect a model's provenance and thus can give valuable insights into the studied biology. Currently, however, changes cannot be semantically interpreted. To improve this situation, we developed an ontology of terms describing changes in models. The ontology can be used by scientists and within software to characterise model updates at the level of single changes. When studying or reusing a model, these annotations help with determining the relevance of a change in a given context. METHODS We manually studied changes in selected models from BioModels and the Physiome Model Repository. Using the BiVeS tool for difference detection, we then performed an automatic analysis of changes in all models published in these repositories. The resulting set of concepts led us to define candidate terms for the ontology. In a final step, we aggregated and classified these terms and built the first version of the ontology. RESULTS We present COMODI, an ontology needed because COmputational MOdels DIffer. It empowers users and software to describe changes in a model on the semantic level. COMODI also enables software to implement user-specific filter options for the display of model changes. Finally, COMODI is a step towards predicting how a change in a model influences the simulation results. CONCLUSION COMODI, coupled with our algorithm for difference detection, ensures the transparency of a model's evolution, and it enhances the traceability of updates and error corrections. COMODI is encoded in OWL. It is openly available at http://comodi.sems.uni-rostock.de/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Scharm
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Dagmar Waltemath
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Pedro Mendes
- School of Computer Science and Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, Manchester, Great Britain
- Center for Quantitative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Olaf Wolkenhauer
- Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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