Opportunities and Challenges in Building a Spatiotemporal Multi-scale Model of the Human Pancreatic β Cell

Cell (2018) Volume 173, Issue 1, p11–19, 22 March 2018

Figure 1. Tools for Deriving a Spatiotemporal Multi-scale Model of the Human Pancreatic b Cell Methods of interest: Fluorescent imaging (super-resolution imaging, live imaging), X-ray tomography, cryo-electron tomography, genome architecture mapping (Hi-C maps, fluorescent in situ hybridization, etc.), integrative structure modeling, protein structure determination (X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), omics (proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, genomics, lipidomics), compu- tational systems biology, and molecular graphics and packing tools. These methods collectively cover a wide range of scales from atomic to the cellular level.

The construction of a predictive model of an entire eukaryotic cell that describes its dynamic structure from atomic to cellular scales is a grand challenge at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science. Having such a model will open new dimensions in biological research and accelerate healthcare advancements. Developing the necessary experimental and modeling methods presents abundant opportunities for a community effort to realize this goal. Here, we present a vision for creation of a spatiotemporal multi-scale model of the pancreatic β–cell, a relevant target for understanding and modulating the pathogenesis of diabetes.