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Systems biology meets chromatin function
Author(s) -
Visser Astrid E,
Fell David A
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/sj.embor.7400960
Subject(s) - chromatin , function (biology) , biology , computational biology , systems biology , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , genetics , dna
The 4th EMBO Workshop on Nuclear Organization took place between 12 and 15 October 2006 in Gosau, Austria, and was organized by D. Jackson, R. van Driel, H. Lipps and H. Westerhoff.![][1] It is clear that DNA sequence and transcription factor availability alone are not sufficient for effective gene regulation in eukaryotes. Epigenetic factors at various levels also have an essential role: for example, DNA methylation and histone modifications form the molecular basis of gene regulation by creating chromatin microenvironments that promote or prevent transcription. Gene activation requires complete cascades of chromatin modifiers to prepare the chromatin for transcription. In addition, the topology of the chromatin and the dynamic interactions between nuclear bodies influence genome function. How the appropriate and controlled expression of genes is achieved is clearly a complicated system, both in terms of the number of interacting components and the spatial heterogeneity. In other areas of cell function that are carried out by multi‐enzyme networks, the question of how function arises from the interaction of the relevant components is being addressed by various combined theoretical and experimental approaches termed ‘systems biology’. Such an approach could determine the extent to which known interactions explain chromatin function and identify what remains to be understood. Furthermore, the combination of mathematical and computational modelling with quantitative measurements fulfils an urgent requirement, as it has the rigour to derive robust predictions that can be precisely tested against experimental observations to support or disprove hypotheses. This meeting brought together experts in chromatin function and systems biology to inform each other of the approaches and issues in their respective fields, and to explore whether they are ready to interact to develop the systems biology of chromatin function. Inevitably, few of the participants could claim to span both fields, but the two opening plenary talks by … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif