Genedata announces its collaboration with HepatoSys, a consortium of German research centres that aim to understand the physiology and pathophysiology of the human liver using systems biology. Together with the consortium's academic members, Genedata has developed a computational system to analyze molecular processes in mammalian liver cells.

HepatoSys' multidisciplinary network will investigate signalling pathways, gene regulation mechanisms, cell signalling dynamics and metabolic activity in hepatocytes, the main liver cell type. "HepatoSys will combine simulations of cellular events with experimental data analysis to yield novel insights about the complex biochemical functions of the liver", says Professor Jens Timmer, scientific spokesman for HepatoSys.

Genedata has developed an established computational platform for systems biology research comprising Genedata Phylosopher for investigating pathways, and Genedata Expressionist® for analysing large volumes of complex molecular data. The platform is currently used by major research groups to enhance drug discovery and development. HepatoSys has licensed this platform to manage research data, and to integrate and analyze transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic data.

In addition, Genedata is developing a customised integrated data management solution, based on this platform, for the HepatoSys network. The solution will feature a specialized data management resource to represent dynamic pathway models. This will enable scientists to store and exchange research results, such as mathematical models of cellular signal transduction pathways, together with relevant simulation results. Professor Timmer added, "We are glad to have Genedata as a partner to support our ambitious systems biology research projects".

The systems biology approach is growing more widespread in industrial research circles. HepatoSys is pioneering the use of the approach to probing liver function. "Systems Biology will provide novel ways for a more efficient drug discovery process, including improvements to drug efficacy and safety assessment", says Dr Othmar Pfannes, CEO of Genedata AG. "We are delighted to support HepatoSys with our computational solutions for investigating this clinically important cell type".

HepatoSys is a competence network of more than 30 research groups from academia, industry, and clinics in Germany. The groups are funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to support interdisciplinary research, to establish methods and tools and to develop -data-based models of physiological processes in hepatic cell model systems.

Genedata specializes in discovery informatics for biotech, pharmaceuticals and the life sciences. The Company offers expertise in research informatics combined with open and scalable computational solutions.