Systems Biology at the Center for BioSystemsAnalysis ZBSA

„To understand complex biological systems requires the integration of experimental and computational research -- in other words a systems biology approach“ Hiroaki Kitano, Nature 2002

"Systems biology...is about putting together rather than taking apart, integration rather than reduction. It requires that we develop ways of thinking about integration that are as rigorous as our reductionist programmes, but different....It means changing our philosophy, in the full sense of the term“ Denis Nobel, 2006

Systems Biology

NEW KNOWLEDGE

EXPERIMENTAL DATA; KNOWLEDGE OF STRUCTURES; FUNCTIONS AND INTERACTIONS

MATHEMATICAL MODEL

BIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON

IN VITRO-/ IN VIVO- EXPERIMENT

IN SILICO EXPERIMENT (SIMULATION)

NEW DATA

NEW DATA

HYPOTHESIS

Life Sciences, Engineering, Computer Sciences and Mathematics merge at the ZBSA

NATURE|Vol 445|22 February 2007

ZBSA

Prof. Jens TimmerActing Director2009-10

Prof. Ralf BaumeisterFounding Director (2006-09)

Prof. Wolfgang DrieverInitiator (2001-05)Director since 7/2010

Scientists from six faculties work together in multidisziplinary projects at the ZBSA

Medicine Mathematics

Physics

Biology

Chemistry

Pharmacology

Forestry and Environment

Informatics and Microsystems

Bernstein Centerfor ComputationalNeuroscience

Structure of the ZBSA

Genetic disposition Development Environment

Proteins,Protein-Networks

Genes,GeneNetworks

Metabolites,metabobicNeworks

Systems Biology

Metabolomics

Genomics

Proteomics

Life Imaging

ZBSA – an Interdisciplinary Center

TechnologiesGenomics

ProteomicsImaging

Metabolomics

Seminars and MeetingsJunior GroupsIT and TheoryData Analysis

Modelling

Land Baden-Württemberg: Building: 17,5 Mio Euro Equipement: 2,5 Mio Euro

Core Facilities for Quantitative High Quality Data:The Experimental Basis for Modelling and Systems Analysis

MetabolomicsGenomics Proteomics Life Imaging

Dr. Kurz Dr. Schlosser Dr. Kammerer Dr. Nitschke

The ZBSA is instrumental for the excellence research centers at the University of Freiburg

Research Cluster of Excellence

FRIAS LiFENET

Freiburg Institute of Advanced StudiesComplex systems – systems biology

Graduate School

The Freiburg Initiative for Systems Biology - FRISYS

Integration of theoretical and experimental efforts to define intact biological systems

Modelling and systems’ analysis of signalling processes in growth and differentiation

Model organisms at phylogenetic key positions

Dedicated Systems Biology curriculum in order to train highly qualified scientists for this field

Coordinator: Wolfgang R. Hess

AKT1

Systembiologie des Alterns

InsR

PI3K

PIP3

PTEN

PIP2

PDK1

AKT2SGK1

FOXO

FOXO

?

MAPKKK

MAPKK

MAPK

SKN-1

SKN1

EG

FR

RAF

GRB-2

RAS

stress developmental+neuronal signals

stress,insulin

nutrients+ ?

JNK

JKK

?

SHC-1

cell cycle controlapoptosis

stress responseageing

stress responseageing, telomere maintenance

SOS

MEK

MAPK

SIR2

PEPT1

RaptorTOR

? eIF4B S6K

?

cellular senescenceprotein integritystress control

DJ1

PINK1

?

Parkin?

Proteomics Jörn DengjelFRIAS LIFENET

SignallingTilmann Brummerbioss

NetworksEnrico SchmidtFRISYS/bioss

ModellingHauke BuschFRIAS LIFENET

Robotics andAutomationAnke BeckerFRISYS

Promotion of Junior Faculty

14 Junior Faculty at ZBSA14 Junior Faculty at ZBSA

Research – Strategic Areas

• Systems biology of development and differentiation

• Signaling and decision mechanisms in cell populations

• Dynamic control of cell states by transcriptional networks and regulatory RNAs

Research – Future plans

• Collaborative Research Center CRC of German Research Council DFG

• Quantitative analysis and modelling of mechanisms in development and differentiation

• Trinational initiative of Freiburg with – IGBMC Strasbourg– BSSE / ETH at Basel

Legend:

EUCOR University

Systems Biology In the D – F – CHTrinational region

International Network

Where are all the ZBSA Systems Biologists?

Where are all the ZBSA Systems Biologists?

2nd Annual ZBSA Retreat

Feldberg-AltglasshüttenNovember 10-112010

Thank you for your attention!

Wolfgang Driever

Systems Biology• "Systems Biology aims at an improved understanding of biology and its mechanisms, in

particular of the functions and interactions of key elements of living systems (DNA, RNA, proteins, cells).

• Systems biology is the sum of novel methodological approaches to (a) gather and analyse this knowledge, (b) to translate this knowledge into a thorough understanding that eventually will allow  predicting the behavior of the complex and dynamic networks that regulate living specimen.

• The focus of systems biology is clearly not limited to the description of existing knowledge using a different syntax, but aims at combining available methods synergistically to develop novel approaches for the characterization of the behavior of biological networks. Whereas traditional research in the Life Sciences generally emphasizes the operational necessity of a gene, protein, component for the correct execution of a particular pathway or regulatory mechanism (what is it doing, is it necessary or sufficient?), it is the Systems Biology that expands these questions in an attempt to define the relevance of a particular component or mechanism for fulfilling a biological goal (Why is it performing the way it is to accomplish this or that task? How does the component need to be designed in order to fulfill its function)."

• Prof. Ralf BaumeisterDirector ZBSA 2005-2009