[MOS] MOS April 5, 2005

[Zina Queen]

Seminar on
Modern Optics and Spectroscopy

Alexander van Oudenaarden, MIT

How does a single cell remember

April 5, 2005
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Grier Room  34-401


Abstract

Upon induction of cell differentiation, distinct cell phenotypes are 
encoded by complex genetic networks. These networks can prevent the 
reversion of established phenotypes even in the presence of 
significant fluctuations. In this talk I will explore the key 
parameters that determine the stability of cellular memory using gene 
networks in the bacterium Escherichia coli and the budding yeast 
Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model systems. These networks contains 
multiple nested feedback loops responsible for storing the cellular 
memory. The parameters that determine the stability of the cellular 
memory are identified by systematically opening the underlying 
feedback loops. These experiments are complemented by stochastic and 
stability analyses. These observations provide quantitative 
understanding of stability and reversibility of cellular 
differentiation states.
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