The E-CELL project: Towards integrative simulation of cellular processes

The E-CELL project was launched in 1996 at Keio University in order to mode l and simulate various cellular processes with the ultimate goal of simulat ing the cell as a whole. The first version of the E-CELL simulation system, which is a generic software package for cell modeling, was completed in 19 97. The E-CELL system enables us to model not only metabolic pathways but a lso other higher-order cellular processes such as protein synthesis and mem brane transport within the same framework. These various processes can then be integrated into a single simulation model. Using the E-CELL system, we have successfully constructed a virtual cell wi th 127 genes sufficient for "self-support". The gene set was selected from the genome of Mycoplasma genitalium, the organism having the smallest known genome. The set includes genes for transcription, translation, the glycoly sis pathway for energy production, membrane transport, and the phospholipid biosynthesis pathway for membrane structure. The E-CELL system has been made available for beta testing from our website (http://www.e-cell.org).