Computer Predicts Anti-Cancer Molecules
|
|
A new computer-based method of analyzing cellular activity has correctly predicted the anti-tumour activity of several molecules. Research published today in BioMed Central’s open access journal, Molecular Cancer, describes ‘CoMet’ – a tool that studies the integrated machinery of the cell and predicts those components that will have an effect on cancer.
Jeffery Skolnick, professor in the School of Biology and director of the Center for the Study of Systems Biology, in collaboration with John McDonald, chair of the School of Biology, led a team from the Georgia Institute of Technology who have developed this new strategy.
“This opens up the possibility of novel therapeutics for cancer and develops our understanding of why such metabolites work. CoMet provides a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cancer,” said Skolnick.
The small molecules that are naturally produced in cells are called metabolites. Enzymes, the biological catalysts that produce and consume these metabolites, are created according to a cell’s genetic blueprints. Importantly, however, the metabolites can also affect the expression of genes.
“By comparing the gene expression levels of cancer cells relative to normal cells and converting that information into the enzymes that produce metabolites,” said Skolnick, “CoMet predicts metabolites that have lower concentrations in cancer relative to normal cells.”
The research proves that when such putatively depleted metabolites are added to cancer cells, they exhibit anticancer properties. In this case, growth of leukemia cells was slowed by all nine of the metabolites suggested by CoMet.
The future for this treatment looks bright, added McDonald. “While we have only performed cell proliferation assays, it is reasonable to speculate that some metabolites may also exhibit many other anticancer properties,” he said. “These could be important steps on the road to a cure.”
For more information contact:
* David Terraso
Communications and Marketing
Contact David Terraso
404-385-2966
The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the nation’s premier research universities. Ranked seventh among U.S. News & World Report’s top public universities, Georgia Tech’s more than 18,000 students are enrolled in its Colleges of Architecture, Computing, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Management and Sciences. Tech is among the nation’s top producers of women and African-American engineers. The Institute offers research opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students and is home to more than 100 interdisciplinary units plus the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
Print Version
Tell-a-Friend comments powered by Disqus
