SBI – Department of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics
Faculty of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
University of Rostock
Ulmenstrasse 69 | 18057 Rostock
Germany
+49 381 498-7571
olaf.wolkenhauer@uni-rostock.de
Research interest
Analysis of signalling in early colon cancer by Boolean models
"I am interested in cancer-stem cell research, where I have formulated a boolean model to gain insight in the case of colon cancer pathology."
Colon cancer, affects the normal structure- functionality of the Lieberkun crypts in the bowel. Tumorigenic transformation occurs either in colon stem cells, as well as by reversion of epithelial cells toward some stem-like phenotype. Given that stem cells in adult tissues provide maintenance and repairing capabilities, its oncogenic transformation leads in long term to the organ failure, and finally, to the death of the patient.
We focus on the detection of unapparent systemic properties in the signalling networks. These properties emerge when both, normal and tumoral conditions are exhaustively analyzed through the complex mesh made up by a huge amount of operating cross-interactions. Moreover, we focus only on early events of tumorigenis, i.e., at the transition between normal to incipient transformed cell. Mutations currently described as tumour progression markers, actually appear a posteriori of these early events.
Dealing with the complexity at the tissue level is an exciting and demanding work. In fact, simplifications to be introduced (dimensionality reduction) have still to be able to capture the essence of the phenomena. So, in addition to the multifaceted biological questions, the need to develop suitable methodologies for this type of analysis is also a formidable challenge.
First, to establish our working system, we built a manually-curated database, which specifically relates to colon cancer, and comprises more than 2000 molecules and 4000 interactions. Second, information was modelized by a multivalued boolean logic formalism. At present, we have finished the modularization of our model, and we are optimizing our tools of analysis.
Academic background
| 2008 – 2012 |
Researcher, System Biology, Department of Computer Sciences |
| 2001 – 2008 |
Researcher Biochemistry Technologies Group, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| 1995 – 2001 |
Associated Professor of Bio-Processes, Experimental Design, and Metabolic Engineering |
| 1988 – 1994 |
Researcher and Lecturer of Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology |
| 1992 |
Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry (Biotechnology) |
| 1988 |
Master degree in Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Industries |
| 1980 – 1996 |
Chief of Laboratory, Medical Center UTA, Buenos Aires/Argentina |
Previous publications
Guebel DV, Cánovas M, Torres NV
Model Identification in presence of incomplete information by Generalized Principal Component Analysis: Application to the determination of the common and specific responses of Escherichia coli to multiple types of pulses in a continuous, high-cellular density culture
Biotechnology Bioengineering, 2009, 104:785-95
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19603428
Guebel DV, Cánovas M, Torres NV
Analysis of the Escherichia coli response to glycerol pulse in a continuous, high cellular density culture by a multivariate approach
Biotechnology Bioengineering, 2008, 102: 910-922
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18975303
Guebel DV, Torres NV
A computational model for the oxygen dynamic in human colon mucosa: Implications in normal physiology and early tumor development
Journal Theoretical Biology, 2008, 250: 389-409
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18022199
Guebel DV, Torres NV, Cánovas M
Modeling analysis of the L(-)carnitine production process by Escherichia coli
Process Biochemistry, 2006, 41: 281-288
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135951130500351X
Guebel DV, Torres NV.
Interactive Astrocytic-Neuronal Sulphur Amino Acid Metabolism in mammalian brain: its assessment by a Mathematical Hybrid Model
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 2004, 1674: 12-28.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15342110
Guebel DV.
Canonical sensitivities: A useful tool for dealing with large system perturbations in metabolic modeling
In Silico Biology, 2004, 4, 0015.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=guebel%20canonical%20sensitivities
Guebel DV, Torres NV.
Optimization of the citric acid production by A. niger through a flux balancing model
EJB: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology [on line]. 2001.
http://www.ejbiotechnology.info/index.php/ejbiotechnology/article/view/v4n1-2
Other Antecedents
- Reviewer of scientific publications: Process Biochemistry (2011), Journal Theoretical Biology(2011); Biotechnology & Bioengineering (2010); Journal Chinese Institute of Chemical Engineers (2008); Biotechnology Progress (2007); Electronic Journal Biotechnology (2005); Research in Microbiology [ex Annals of Institute Pasteur](2004); Biotechnology & Bioengineering (2000).
- Consultant for biotechnological developments of private companies (Argentina, 2002-2007).
- Consultant of National Agency for University Evaluation and Accreditation (CONEAU, Education Ministry, Argentina, 2002)
- Member of Comission to implement Curricular Change in biotechnology studies. (Quilmes National University, Argentina) (1998-2000)
- Accesit Award for doctoral thesis. Faculty of Biochemistry (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina) (1992)