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Review
. 2014 Aug:28:111-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.01.012. Epub 2014 Feb 17.

The future of whole-cell modeling

Derek N Macklin  1 , Nicholas A Ruggero  2 , Markus W Covert  3
Affiliations
Review

The future of whole-cell modeling

Derek N Macklin et al. Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2014 Aug.

Abstract

Integrated whole-cell modeling is poised to make a dramatic impact on molecular and systems biology, bioengineering, and medicine--once certain obstacles are overcome. From our group's experience building a whole-cell model of Mycoplasma genitalium, we identified several significant challenges to building models of more complex cells. Here we review and discuss these challenges in seven areas: first, experimental interrogation; second, data curation; third, model building and integration; fourth, accelerated computation; fifth, analysis and visualization; sixth, model validation; and seventh, collaboration and community development. Surmounting these challenges will require the cooperation of an interdisciplinary group of researchers to create increasingly sophisticated whole-cell models and make data, models, and simulations more accessible to the wider community.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The interdisciplinary challenges faced by future whole-cell modeling efforts. A community of scientists and engineers will need to innovate together to surmount these challenges.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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