Integration of 'omics data: does it lead to new insights into host-microbe interactions?

• Published in: Future microbiology Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 313 - 328
• Main Authors: Kint, Gwendoline, Fierro, Carolina, Marchal, Kathleen, Vanderleyden, Jos, De Keersmaecker, Sigrid CJ
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01.02.2010
• Subjects: commensal; data integration; Gene Expression Profiling - methods; Genomics; Genomics - methods; high-throughput; host-microbe interaction; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Infectious diseases; Metabolites; Metabolomics - methods; Microbiology; pathogen; Pathogens; Proteomics; Proteomics - methods; Symbiosis; systems biology; Systems Biology - methods
• ISSN: 1746-0913; 1746-0921; 1746-0921
• DOI: 10.2217/fmb.10.1

The interaction between both beneficial and pathogenic microbes and their host has been the subject of many studies. Although the field of systems biology is rapidly evolving, the use of a systems biology approach by means of high-throughput techniques to study host-microbe interactions is just beginning to be explored. In this review, we discuss some of the most recently developed high-throughput 'omics techniques and their use in the context of host-microbe interaction. Moreover, we highlight studies combining several techniques that are pioneering the integration of 'omics data related to host-microbe interactions. Finally, we list the major challenges ahead for successful systems biology research on host-microbe interactions.