Featured Highlight
Enlarge Image. Change in ERK distributon after EGF addition. Cells expressing a green fluorescence ERK and a red fluorescence marker of the cytoplasm were treated with EGF for the time indicated at the top. Top panels are the original fused images. Bottom panels are the ratio of ERK:cytoplasm intensity. This shows that ERK is selectively concentrated in the nucleus in a periodic manner.
Oscillating Signaling Protein Helps Create Predictive Models
For the first time, scientists have proven that a vital protein controlling cellular proliferation, ERK, oscillates in and out of the nucleus of human breast cells. Researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and led by EMSL Lead Scientist for Biology, Steve Wiley, observed sustained oscillations of ERK between the nucleus and cytoplasm. By integrating multiple scientific disciplines, instruments, and standard computational packages at the Department of Energy's EMSL, the team proved the long-suspected oscillations. See the video [movie, 2MB].
Systems Biology at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Systems biology researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) focus on understanding gene and protein networks involved in individual cell signaling, communication between cells in communities, and cellular metabolic pathways. Our systems biology research program is primarily driven by the Biomolecular Sciences Initiative, a Laboratory R&D program.
Talented Multidisciplinary Teams
The integrated talents of our multidisciplinary research teams lend strength to our systems biology research. Our biologists, microscopy experts, and proteomicists study the thousands of proteins and/or other cellular components, which are regulated through variations in their location, their activity, and their state of modification. Our bioinformaticists and computational biologists are (1) working with bench scientists to integrate high-throughput instruments into a computational infrastructure; (2) creating models of cellular networks appropriate for inferring the structure and function of cellular networks from large volumes high-throughput, heterogeneous data; and (3) developing software to aid visualization and interpretation of this flood of data. The methods we are developing to integrate and interpret high-throughput, quantitative data will serve as a foundation for creating predictive models of cellular responses and functions.
A Strong Technical Infrastructure
PNNL's unique set of advanced instrumentation and technologies provide a strong technical infrastructure for our systems biology research. We combine world-class, high-throughput proteomic tools; advanced sensors; precise analytical methods; enhanced imaging capabilities; and sophisticated computational tools to characterize and model cells responding to environmental changes, interrogating their surroundings, and communicating with other organisms in communities.
Applying Systems Biology to Problems of National Interest
We apply our systems biology methods to and enhance our systems biology capabilities through a variety of research areas, including cellular responses to oxidative stress and radiation, interrogative cell signaling, network biology, cellular responses to environmental stress, biomarkers that indicate environmental contaminants and disease, biofilms, and microbial communities. Through our research, we address problems important to the U.S. Department of Energy and the nation, including clean energy production, carbon sequestration, environmental cleanup, improved disease diagnosis and treatment, and protecting people from environmental hazards.
