Center Goals and Overview

Addressing the complexity of the network of chemical, electrical and mechanical processes underlying cell and virus behavior is the grand challenge of pure and applied systems biology adopted by the Center. Whether the target is an abnormal cell, parasite, bacterium or virus, new approaches are needed whereby drug discovery/treatment optimization can be facilitated and more well-targeted agents can be designed. In light of the mutation of viruses or the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria and biothreats, the need for accelerated drug and vaccine discovery methods is acute. To understand the fundamentals of the workings of cell and viruses, these systems must be analyzed in a comprehensive approach. For example, a technology is needed to predict whether the activity of a chemical agent targeted to a given cell process could be thwarted by the existence of an alternate pathway or lead to unwanted changes in other processes or cell types. Furthermore, a model is needed to assess the behavior of multiple cell systems (e.g. bloodstream, tissue, organ, or embryo) and to understand the wider implications of treatment strategies and controls on tumor growth or developmental abnormalities. An automated method is needed for predicting the emergence of new viral or bacterial strains; the method should be based on computer-generated mutations and their analysis. In summary, the health research community needs a technology for rapid, cost-effective quantitative prediction of the behavior of these complex systems and an assessment of risk/uncertainty in these predictions. At the Center, we are attempting to address these grand challenges.

Center activities include:

• visiting scientists/sabbatical fellowships;
• undergraduate and graduate research;
• pure and applied research and development for government and industry;
• distributing cell and virus modeling software;
• developing new strategies for accelerating drug discovery, treatment optimization and predicting potential biohazards;
• design of nanoparticles for drug delivery, medical imaging and other biotechnical applications; and
• establishing microbial waste remediation or oil recovery strategies and methods for environmental damage assessment.

Center activities are guided by a board of advisors from academia and industry, while students are mentored by Indiana University faculty members. The Center is supported by grants and contracts from governmental, private and industrial sources.