Macrophage mediated recognition and clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi elicits MyD88-dependent and -independent phagosomal signals that contribute to phagocytosis and inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages play prominent roles in bacteria recognition and clearance, including Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the Lyme disease spirochete. To elucidate mechanisms by which MyD88/TLR signaling enhances clearance of Bb by macrophages, we studied wildtype (WT) and MyD88 RESULTS: MyD88 CONCLUSION: Our findings show that MyD88 signaling enhances, but is not required, for bacterial uptake or phagosomal maturation and provide mechanistic insights into how MyD88-mediated phagosomal signaling enhances Bb uptake and clearance

Parameter estimation for Boolean models of biological networks

Boolean networks have long been used as models of molecular networks and play an increasingly important role in systems biology. This paper describes a software package, Polynome, offered as a web service, that helps users construct Boolean network models based on experimental data and biological input. The key feature is a discrete analog of parameter estimation for continuous models. With only experimental data as input, the software can be used as a tool for reverse-engineering of Boolean network models from experimental time course data.Comment: Web interface of the software is available at http://polymath.vbi.vt.edu/polynome

El problema de intersección de conjuntos y sus aplicaciones.

Sea S una familia de conjuntos S_1, S_2, ..., S_n. El conjunto de intersección T de S es un conjunto que intersecta a cada uno de los conjuntos S_i, i=1, ⠦, n. T es un conjunto mínimo de intersección (CMI) si T no contiene un subconjunto propio que es a su vez un conjunto de intersección de S. El problema de generar la colección de CMIs para una familia de conjuntos dada es de interés en diversas áreas de investigación y ha sido estudiada (bajo una diversidad de nombres) en áreas como la combinatoria, álgebra Booleana y biología computacional. Mientras que algunos resultados interesantes han sido obtenidos para el asociado problema de decisión, la complejidad computacional de este problema es hasta el momento desconocida. Sin embargo, hay una diversidad de algoritmos para generar conjuntos mínimos de intersección. En esta plática, se expondrán diferentes algoritmos para enumerar CMIs y su rendimiento computacional en problemas derivados de varios dominios de investigación científica con un énfasis en aquellos en biología de sistemas computacionales.Non UBCUnreviewedAuthor affiliation: University of Connecticut Health CenterResearche

Computational Systems Biology: Discrete Models of Gene Regulation Networks COURSE STRUCTURE

ABSTRACT This article describes a 2-3 day workshop offered at regional undergraduate teaching institutions and high schools. Its goal is to use discrete dynamic models, in particular Boolean networks, to illustrate mathematical modeling of biological networks, such as gene regulatory networks, to a broad audience that can include undergraduate faculty, undergraduate students, high school teachers, and even high school students. The workshop covers the basics of biology, mathematical modeling, and model analysis, using the wellknown lac operon network in E coli as a model system