From Gene Regulation to Gene Function: Regulatory Networks inBacillus subtilis

Abstract

Bacillus subtilisis a sporulating Gram-positive bacterium that lives primarily in the soil and associated water sources. The publication of theB. subtilisgenome sequence and subsequent systematic functional analysis and gene regulation programmes, together with an extensive understanding of its biochemistry and physiology, makes this micro-organism a prime candidate in which to model regulatory networksin silico.In this paper we discuss combined molecular biological and bioinformatical approaches that are being developed to model this organism's responses to changes in its environment.