QSB: Reverse Engineering of Biochemical Networks from Whole-Genome Dynamics

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, Blacksburg VA

Investigators

Abstract

The long range goal of this project is to build methods to infer genetic networks from gene chip or microarray transcription profiles. The methods developed are also envisioned to enable experimental design. The approach proposed is a staged one consisting of initially building a low-resolution dynamic model that fits observed data, and then to improve such a model to identify hidden variables in order to increase its predictive power. To achieve that objective, a series of kinetic functions for gene expression will be developed and made available on the Internet (where they will be peer-reviewed). These models will be used to generate artificial gene expression data. The data analysis algorithms will thus be developed and tested using a known in silico source to assess robustness and areas for further improvement.