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Biomedical subjects

Yuri Nikolsky

Publications and source records attributed to Yuri Nikolsky.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Pathway mapping tools for analysis of high content data.

The complexity of human biology requires a systems approach that uses computational approaches to integrate different data types. Systems biology encompasses the complete biological system of metabolic and signaling pathways, which can be assessed by measuring global gene expression, protein content, metabolic profiles, and individual genetic, clinical, and phenotypic data. High content screening assays can also be used to generate systems biology knowledge. In this review, we will summarize the pathway databases and describe biological network tools used predominantly with this genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data but which are equally as applicable for high content screening data analysis. We describe in detail the integrated data-mining tools applicable to building biological networks developed by GeneGo, namely, MetaCore and MetaDrug.

Computational Biology↗

A novel method for generation of signature networks as biomarkers from complex high throughput data.

Traditionally, gene signatures are statistically deduced from large gene expression and proteomics datasets and have been applied as an experimental molecular diagnostic technique that is sensitive to experimental design and statistical treatment. We have developed and applied the approach of "signature networks" which overcomes some of the drawbacks of clustering methods. We have demonstrated signature network assembly, functional analysis and logical operations on the networks that can be generated. In addition, we have used this technique in a proof of concept study to compare the effect of differential drug treatment using 4-hydroxytamoxifen and estrogen on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line from a previously published study. We have shown that the two compounds can be differentiated by the networks of interacting genes. Both networks consist of a core module of genes including c-Fos as part of c-Fos/c-Jun heterodimer and c-Myc which is clearly visible. Using algorithms in our MetaCore software we are able to subtract the 4-hydroxytamoxifen and estrogen networks to further understand differences between these two treatments and show that the estrogen network is assembled around the core with other modules essential for all phases of the cell cycle. For example, Cyclin D1 is present in networks for the estrogen treated cells from two separate studies. These signature networks represent an approach to identify biomarkers and a general approach for discovering new relationships in complex high throughput toxicology data.

Algorithms↗

Biological networks and analysis of experimental data in drug discovery.

Cellular life can be represented and studied as the 'interactome'--a dynamic network of biochemical reactions and signaling interactions between active proteins. Systemic networks analysis can be used for the integration and functional interpretation of high-throughput experimental data, which are abundant in drug discovery but currently poorly utilized. The composition and topology of complex networks are closely associated with vital cellular functions, which have important implications for life science research. Here we outline recent advances in the field, available tools and applications of network analysis in drug discovery.

Computer Simulation↗

Techniques: application of systems biology to absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity.

It is widely recognized that either predicting or determining the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADME/Tox) properties of molecules helps to prevent the failure of some compounds before they reach the clinic. Consequently, there has been considerable research into developing better in silico, in vitro and in vivo methods and models. Toxicogenomics, proteomics, metabonomics and pharmacogenomics represent the latest experimental approaches that can be combined with high-throughput molecular screening of targets to provide a view of the complete biological system that is modulated by a compound. The functional interpretation and relevance of these complex multidimensional data to the phenotype observed in humans is the focus of current research in toxicology. Multiple content databases, data mining and predictive modeling algorithms, visualization tools, and high-throughput data-analysis solutions are being integrated to form systems-ADME/Tox. In this review, we focus on the most recent advances and applications in this area.

Animals↗

The case for strategic international alliances to harness nutritional genomics for public and personal health.

Nutrigenomics is the study of how constituents of the diet interact with genes, and their products, to alter phenotype and, conversely, how genes and their products metabolise these constituents into nutrients, antinutrients, and bioactive compounds. Results from molecular and genetic epidemiological studies indicate that dietary unbalance can alter gene-nutrient interactions in ways that increase the risk of developing chronic disease. The interplay of human genetic variation and environmental factors will make identifying causative genes and nutrients a formidable, but not intractable, challenge. We provide specific recommendations for how to best meet this challenge and discuss the need for new methodologies and the use of comprehensive analyses of nutrient-genotype interactions involving large and diverse populations. The objective of the present paper is to stimulate discourse and collaboration among nutrigenomic researchers and stakeholders, a process that will lead to an increase in global health and wellness by reducing health disparities in developed and developing countries.

Animals↗

Early prediction of drug metabolism and toxicity: systems biology approach and modeling.

Many of the drug candidates that fail in clinical trials are withdrawn because of unforeseen effects of human metabolism, such as toxicity and unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles. Early pre-clinical elimination of such compounds is important but not yet possible. An ideal system would enable researchers to make a confident elimination decision based purely on the structure of a new compound, and incorporate and use multiple pre-clinical experimental data to support such a decision. Currently available resources can be split into three categories: (i). structure-activity relationships (SAR) computational models based on compound structure; (ii). 'pattern' databases of tissue or organ response to drugs, compiled from high-throughput experiments; and (iii). 'systems biology' databases of metabolic pathways, genes and regulatory networks. In this review, we outline the advantages and drawbacks of each of these systems and suggest directions for their integration.

Animals↗

Modeling of human cytochrome p450-mediated drug metabolism using unsupervised machine learning approach.

We developed a computational algorithm for evaluating the possibility of cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic transformations that xenobiotics molecules undergo in the human body. First, we compiled a database of known human cytochrome P-450 substrates, products, and nonsubstrates for 38 enzyme-specific groups (total of 2200 compounds). Second, we determined the cytochrome-mediated metabolic reactions most typical for each group and examined the substrates and products of these reactions. To assess the probability of P450 transformations of novel compounds, we built a nonlinear quantitative structure-metabolism relationships (QSMR) model based on Kohonen self-organizing maps (SOM). This neural network QSMR model incorporated a predefined set of physicochemical descriptors encoding the key molecular properties that define the metabolic fate of individual molecules. Isozyme-specific groups of substrate molecules were visualized, thus facilitating prediction of tissue-specific metabolism. The developed algorithm can be used in early stages of drug discovery as an efficient tool for the assessment of human metabolism and toxicity of novel compounds in designing discovery libraries and in lead optimization.

Algorithms↗