First living organism modeled by computers

 

The world’s first complete computer model of a living organism has been created.  A team of Stanford University researchers, led by Markus Covert, compiled data from over 900 publications to model Mycoplasma genitalium, the smallest known free-living bacterium.  Their model simulates the M. genitalium life cycle, and predicts complex phenotypic behavior. Over 1900 experimentally determined parameters were assembled into 28 independent modules covering different cellular processes.  When the simulation runs, the modules talk to each other after each step.  Validation came when the model accurately predicted experimentally obtained data related to the cell cycle.  This landmark achievement heralds in a new age in biology – where in silico analysis can be used to predict outcomes and guide experimentation.  The authors envision that their work will lead to the first synthetic organisms, which could be used large-scale to produce pharmaceuticals.