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As the number of species whose genomes have been sequenced grows, scientists are realising the importance of understanding living organisms as complex systems. Systems biology draws insights from molecular biology, engineering, maths and information technology to build up holistic models of biological systems such as a living cell. Disease is the result when such a system is disturbed, and once that holistic model has been built, tested and refined, scientists will be in a stronger position to design more effective drugs to treat disease.
The way that biological research is organised in Europe must change to reflect that multi-disciplinarity, with mathematicians receiving training in biology and biologists in mathematics. There must also be greater crosstalk and sharing of data and resources between the various disciplines, not to mention standardisation of those resources so that there is a sound basis for communication. Only when that happens will researchers in these diverse fields be able to bring their expertise to bear on the questions of systems biology. Our aim at the European Commission is to stimulate multi-disciplinary research so that those now working in systems biology can fully exploit the potential of the sequenced genomes, including the human genome. That is why systems biology plays such a prominent part in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), in all life science programmes but particularly in functional genomics. And that is why we have dedicated this issue of the newsletter to the systems biology projects that are either under way or about to begin.
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Network of Excellence: ENFIN
Genome sequencing and other high-throughput technologies have ushered in a new era in computational biology. For almost every type of biological information, there is now a large, open-access database, yet the average bench scientist uses only a tiny proportion of the information that is relevant to his or her research question. 
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Integrated Project: EuroHear
Christine Petit has coordinated a number of European research projects dedicated to understanding hereditary deafness, whether it affects children or adults. The latest, EuroHear, is an Integrated Project whose goal is to elucidate the pathological processes underlying early- and late-onset deafness, with a view to developing treatments for these conditions.
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Integrated Project: DNA REPAIR
DNA REPAIR is an Integrated Project designed to throw light on the mechanisms of DNA damage response and repair – mechanisms which are implicated in a huge number of human diseases including cancer, immunodeficiency and genetic and age-related disorders.
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Integrated Project: EVI-GENORET
In a society which relies heavily on information flowing through visual media, the growing number of people who suffer from visual impairment is a worrying trend. The retina, the part of the eye which converts light into sight, is a highly complex biological system whose development and function are influenced by a large number of genes, many of which remain unknown. Yet, if researchers are to find effective ways of treating the causes of blindness, they need to understand the genetic and cellular interactions that produce and maintain that system.
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Specific Support Action: EUSYSBIO
EUSYSBIO, the ‘Take-off of European Systems Biology’, is a Specific Support Action funded under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to lay the foundations of a pan-European integrated network in systems biology.
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Specific Support Action: SYMBIONIC
Working in close co-operation with EUSYSBIO is another specific support action, SYMBIONIC, whose mission since late 2003 has been to integrate scientific activities across Europe in the systems biology of neurons and synapses. In addition, it aims to drive the creation of a complete computational model of a nerve cell – a so-called ‘virtual neuron’.
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