This project, which involves 15 European research organisations and an Australian university for the purpose of developing “systems biology” techniques, will make it possible to study the global regulation of gene transcription in a model bacterium: Bacillus subtilis. The knowledge obtained will then be extended to pathogenic bacteria, leading the way to applications in the areas of health and the environment. The European Union is contributing 12 million euros to the project over a four-year period.
A European challenge
Systems biology is a young and extremely promising field since it integrates all of the scientific and technological fields capable of contributing to a better understanding of biological systems. This approach, based on extensive multi-disciplinary know-how, is particularly onerous in terms of physical inputs and financial commitments. BaSysBio is one of the first research initiatives with the potential to compete with American initiatives in this field.
An innovative scientific approach
The BaSysBio project will use the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis to gain insight into the global structure of the regulatory networks that control bacterial metabolism.
By bringing together the best teams in Europe specialised in different fields (from molecular biology to bioinformatics), the project will design and adapt high-throughput technologies to facilitate quantitative measurements, and to subsequently develop predictive mathematical models that will make it possible to interpret the experimental data obtained.
The methodologies and knowledge developed will then be applied to two disease-causing bacteria: Bacillus anthracis (responsible for anthrax) and Staphylococcus aureus (responsible for nosocomial infections).
Fundamental research and applications
Bacillus subtilis bacteria also have considerable economic potential as producers of enzymes and metabolites used by a wide range of industries, extending from the pharmaceutical and chemical to the agri-food sectors.
BaSysBio will contribute to the development of new biomarkers, enabling advanced tests for detecting virulent bacteria. The project will also lead to a better understanding of pathogenesis and to the identification of more effective targets for anti-infection drugs, making it possible to address the phenomena of increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics.
By developing a better understanding of the systems that allow microbes to adapt to their environment, BaSysBio will facilitate, for example, the exploitation of the ability of microorganisms to clean up polluted environments.
Source: Press release INRA 01/12/2006
