Live cell imaging and systems biology.
Much of the experimental data used to construct mathematical models of molecular networks are derived from in vitro measurements. However, there is increasing evidence that in vitro measurements fail to capture both the complexity and the individuality found in single, living cells. These limitations can be overcome by live cell microscopy which is evolving to enable in vivo biochemistry. Here, we survey the current capabilities of live cell microscopy and illustrate how a number of different imaging approaches could be applied to analyze a specific molecular network. We argue that incorporation of such quantitative live-cell imaging methods is critical for the progress of systems biology.
Sung
Myong-Hee
MH
Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. sungm@mail.nih.gov
McNally
James G
JG
D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena; D002477:Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D008853:Microscopy; D049490:Systems Biology