Network integration meets network dynamics

Molecular interaction networks provide a window on the workings of the cell. However, combining various types of networks into one coherent large-scale dynamic model remains a formidable challenge. A recent paper in BMC Systems Biology describes a promising step in this direction.     

New journal: Algorithms for Molecular Biology

This editorial announces Algorithms for Molecular Biology, a new online open access journal published by BioMed Central. By launching the first open access journal on algorithmic bioinformatics, we provide a forum for fast publication of high-quality research articles in this rapidly evolving field. Our journal will publish thoroughly peer-reviewed papers without length limitations covering all aspects of algorithmic data analysis in computatioal biology. Publications in Algorithms for Molecular Biology are easy to find, highly visible and tracked by organisations such as PubMed. An established online submission system makes a fast reviewing procedure possible and enables us to publish accepted papers without delay. All articles published in our journal are permanently archived by PubMed Central and other scientific archives. We are looking forward to receiving your contributions.     

Altered metabolism in cancer

Cancer cells have different metabolic requirements from their normal counterparts. Understanding the consequences of this differential metabolism requires a detailed understanding of glucose metabolism and its relation to energy production in cancer cells. A recent study in BMC Systems Biology by Vasquez et al. developed a mathematical model to assess some features of this altered metabolism. Here, we take a broader look at the regulation of energy metabolism in cancer cells, considering their anabolic as well as catabolic needs.     

Partnering with Life Science Alliance

Molecular Systems Biology is partnering with the new open‐access journal Life Science Alliance, an initiative by three major not‐for‐profit science organizations. An informed transfer process was established with our partner to provide authors with clear editorial commitments and reduce the overall burden on reviewers.     

Ecological genomics: steps towards unraveling the genetic basis of inducible defenses in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis>

Little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying inducible defenses. Recently, the genome of Daphnia pulex, a model organism for defense studies, has been sequenced. Building on the genome information, recent preliminary studies in BMC Developmental Biology and BMC Molecular Biology have assessed gene response profiles in Daphnia under predation pressure. We review the significance of the findings and highlight future research perspectives.     

The hidden diversity of ribosomal peptide natural products

A recent report in BMC Biology on the discovery and analysis of biosynthetic genes for ribosomal peptide natural products confirms that these pathways are much more common and diverse than previously suspected, contributing substantially to the chemical arsenal employed by bacteria.     

Tools of discovery

Molecular Systems Biology has transitioned to the new EMBO Press publishing platform to offer a richer and more transparent access to high‐quality research.     

Methods to drive systems biology forward

The development of new methodologies has driven the expansion of systems biology over the past decades. Technological breakthroughs in sequencing, in quantitative proteomics, in single‐cell measurements, to name only a few, have each opened up whole new fields of research. To highlight the importance of new experimental and computational methodologies in enabling novel biological discoveries, we are pleased to announce the introduction of a new Methods section in Molecular Systems Biology ( http://msb.embopress.org/authorguide#methodsguide ).     

Iron testes: sperm mitochondria as a context for dissecting iron metabolism

A recent paper in BMC Developmental Biology reports that a mitochondrial iron importer is required for Drosophila male fertility and normal mitochondrial shaping in spermatids. This suggests that mitochondrial morphogenesis during insect spermatogenesis may be a useful new context in which to study iron metabolism.     

The IGF1 small dog haplotype is derived from Middle Eastern grey wolves: a closer look at statistics,sampling, and the alleged Middle Eastern origin of small dogs

This paper is a response to Gray MM, Sutter NB, Ostrander EA, Wayne RK: The IGF1 small dog haplotype is derived from Middle Eastern grey wolves. BMC Biology 2010, 8:16.     

On the scent of sexual attraction

A study in the current issue of BMC Biology has identified a mouse major urinary protein as a pheromone that attracts female mice to male urine marks and induces a learned attraction to the volatile urinary odor of the producer. See research article     

Mitochondrial dynamics: quantifying mitochondrial fusion <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Mitochondrial fusion is an essential process for preserving the integrity and stability of mitochondrial DNA; however, regulation of this process remains largely mysterious. In this issue of BMC Biology, Schauss and colleagues describe a simple, reliable, and robust novel assay that allows fusion of mammalian mitochondria to be quantified in vitro.     

Losing the desire: selection can promote obligate asexuality

Whilst parthenogenesis has evolved multiple times from sexual invertebrate and vertebrate lineages, the drivers and consequences of the sex-asex transition remain mostly uncertain. A model by Stouthamer et al. recently published in BMC Evolutionary Biology shows a pathway by which obligate asexuality could be selected for following endosymbiont infection.     

Vertebrate Hedgehog signaling: cilia rule

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway differentially utilizes the primary cilium in mammals and fruit flies. Recent work, including a study in BMC Biology, demonstrates that Hh signals through the cilium in zebrafish, clarifying the evolution of Hh signal transduction.     

Kinesin-14: the roots of reversal

Kinesin-14 motor proteins step towards microtubule minus ends, in the opposite direction to other kinesins. Work on the still-enigmatic kinesin-14 mechanism published in BMC Structural Biology shows that the carboxyl terminus of the motor head undergoes a dock-undock cycle, like that of plus-end-directed kinesins.     

Salamanders and fish can regenerate lost structures - why can't we?

The recent introduction of in vivo lineage-tracing techniques using fluorescently labeled cells challenged the long-standing view that complete dedifferentiation is a major force driving vertebrate tissue regeneration. The report in BMC Developmental Biology by Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte and colleagues adds a new twist to a rapidly evolving view of the origin of blastemal cells. As classic and recent experimental findings are considered together, a new perspective on vertebrate muscle regeneration is emerging.     

A modern circadian clock in the common angiosperm ancestor of monocots and eudicots

The circadian clock enhances fitness through temporal organization of plant gene expression, metabolism and physiology. Two recent studies, one in BMC Evolutionary Biology, demonstrate through phylogenetic analysis of the CCA1/LHY and TOC1/PRR gene families that the common ancestor of monocots and eudicots had components sufficient to construct a circadian clock consisting of multiple interlocked feedback loops.