Predictive Modeling to Define Antiviral Efficacy

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

• Defined the base computational model of the human mitotic cell cycle, which simulates temporal changes in 12 different mitotic proteins and associated protein complexes existing in 27 different states using 15 major mitotic interacting reactions and 26 ordinary differential equations
• Model parameters were defined and shown through testing to reproduce the cardinal features of human mitosis, as determined experimentally by numerous laboratories
• The model has been used to help the research team understand why CMV targets specific factors during mitosis
• Using computer simulations, the research team observed that virus-mediated disruption is necessary to sustain a unique mitotic collapse defined by stable cellular kinase levels and is consistent with known mechanisms of viral egress
• The research team is finishing studies defining the impact of bortezomib on CMV replication in vitro with the goal of linking the experimental data with the computer simulations
• Findings are being prepared for a manuscript submission to the journal PLoS Computational Biology
• Knowledge gained from this project has been included in course materials for the Marquette University and MCW Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program
• Findings from this project were disseminated at local, national, and international meetings and conferences, and the research team continues to educate other faculty and students about how the general process to create the base computational model is applicable to most biological processes