from Chris P. Barnes, Maxime Huvet, Nathan Harmston and Michael P.H. Stumpf writing in Systems Microbiology: Current Topics and Applications:

Modelling methodologies in the life- and biomedical sciences are hampered by the complexity of the processes and systems at work. Modelling studies into prokaryotic systems require the elucidation of the mechanistic model. In this chapter we introduction modelling methodologies and discuss the problem of model (and parameter) inference. We comment on state-of-the-art research questions and provide a general discussion on how models can and should be used in order to better understand the structure, function and dynamics of biological systems. The aim is not to provide an introduction to modelling per se, but to provide readers with an overview on the available methodologies. The modelling approach chosen depends on the biological question at hand as well as a range of social factors.

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from Eivind Almaas, Per Bruheim, Rahmi Lale and Svein Valla writing in Systems Microbiology: Current Topics and Applications:

The functional repertoire of an organism's metabolic network is closely linked to its phenotype and potential for utility in metabolic engineering applications. In this chapter, we discuss a systems biology view of Escherichia coli metabolism by integrating current genome-scale computational modelling approaches with available molecular genetics tools, as well as the experimental framework for metabolite and metabolic flux determination.

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from Diana Clausznitzer, Judith P. Armitage and Robert G. Endres writing in Systems Microbiology: Current Topics and Applications:

Bacterial chemotaxis is a paradigm for biological sensing and information transmission. The chemotaxis signal-transduction pathway allows cells to sense chemicals in their surroundings in order to regulate flagellated rotary motors, thus allowing them to swim towards nutrients and away from toxins. Importantly, cells are able to sense with remarkably high sensitivity over a wide range of chemical background concentrations. To make this possible, chemoreceptors do not signal independently but form clusters for amplification and integration of signals, as well as for adaptation to persistent stimulation. While chemotaxis in Escherichia coli has been exceptionally well characterised, new experimental facts still require revisions of existing models and thus further increase our understanding of sensing and signalling in bacteria. Additionally, experiments on other bacterial species such as Bacillus subtilis and Rhodobacter sphaeroides indicate that bacteria other than E. coli can have substantially different and more complex chemotaxis pathways, which provides renewed challenges for experimentalists and modellers alike. Here we discuss our current understanding as well as the frontiers of bacterial chemotaxis research.

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