Reconstruction and analysis of biological networks related to nitrogen deprivation response in microalgae

• Grant number: 21/01871-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2021
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Flavia Vischi Winck
• Grantee: Aline Cristina de Camargo
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/06601-4 - Integrative systems approach for the study of gene expression regulatory networks related to biomass production in microalgae, AP.BIOEN.JP

Abstract

The different cellular responses in microalgae, even poorly understood at the molecular level, are dependent of internal and external stimuli which cells are constantly exposed. How the cells respond to these stimuli will define the date of a series of cell biomolecules, in the direction of its accumulation or degradation. With the study of the cellular responses using omics approaches, such as proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics it is possible to uncovering components of biological networks related to the cell capacity to accumulate biomass or other high-value compounds. In this proposal, Omics data will be used for the reconstruction of biological networks, including gene expression regulatory networks. Mainly, experimental data obtained in time-course experiments already available and to be generated by our research group to investigate nitrogen deprivation responses will be used for the investigation of the biological networks affected. Computational tools available will be tested, implemented and modified to optimize the integrative analysis of time-series proteomics data.There is no optimal methodological strategy for this type of analysis. Therefore, the development of methods and computational tools is highly desirable, in addition to the use of tools already known.The development of new tools or the modification of existing tools will be fostered to the identification of conserved patterns or causal relations between proteins identified in the proteomics profiles. The tools developed could contribute to uncover the subnetworks related to lipids and biomass accumulation in microalgae.