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Review
. 2009 Aug;12(4):432-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2009.06.003. Epub 2009 Jul 1.

Virus-host interactions: from systems biology to translational research

Affiliations
Review

Virus-host interactions: from systems biology to translational research

Xinxia Peng et al. Curr Opin Microbiol. 2009 Aug.

Abstract

Research embracing systems biology approaches and careful analysis of the critical host response has greatly expanded our understanding of infectious diseases. First-generation studies based on genomics and proteomics have made significant progress in establishing the foundation for network-based investigations on virus-host interactions. More recently, data from complementary high-throughput technologies, such as siRNA and microRNA screens and next-generation sequencing, are augmenting systems level analyses and are providing a more detailed and insightful multidimensional view of virus-host networks. Together with advances in data integration, systems biology approaches now have the potential to provide profound impacts on translational research, leading to the more rapid development of new therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases. In this review, we highlight new high-throughput technologies, a new philosophy for studying virus-host interactions, and discuss the potential of systems biology to facilitate bench-to-bedside research and create novel strategies to combat disease. Can we save the world using these approaches? Read on.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Systems biology approaches for virus-host interactions and the implications on translational research
Representation of the connection between systems biology approaches and the potential impact on translational research. As shown, the path leads from basic research to applying high-throughput technologies for better understanding the complex interactions occurring in a given model system. Through computational modeling and data integration, these technologies can have direct impact on translational research.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Matrix of potential comparisons performed to systematically study influenza virus infection
Illustration highlighting the multiple comparisons possible when taking a systems approach to studying Influenza virus infection. High-throughput technologies have enabled many of these comparisons to be possible and now it is up to the research community to design studies in a multi-disciplinary fashion and implement new data integration techniques to best leverage this wealth of data.

References

Reference List

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Reference Annotations

    1. [10] Brass et al. (*) – The authors were the first to demonstrate the importance of siRNA genomic screens in identifying host cellular factors vital for HIV viral replication.

    1. [13] Calderwood et al. (*) – This is the first study to apply a high-throughput yeast two-hybrid approach to identify physical interaction between Epstein Barr virus and human proteins. The authors use these interactions to suggest mechanism of virulence.

    1. [23] Mortazavi et al (**) – This is the first study to apply next-generation sequencing technology to analyze mammalian transcriptome. This study reported wide linear range of transcript detection, and the detection of alternate splice isoforms and novel transcripts.

    1. [30] Zhang et al. (*) – The authors reported a multi-scale agent-based computational model to simulate cancer heterogeneity. The model integrates a simplified epidermal growth factor receptor gene-protein network coupled with a cell cycle module.

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