Qing Nie

Professor, Departments of Mathematics and Biomedical Engineering

Center for Mathematical and Computational Biology

Center for Complex Biological Systems

University of California Irvine

Robust and Stochastic Dynamics in Signal Transduction and Developmental Patterning

Noise and stochastic effect exist in most biological systems due to many intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In this talk, I will discuss strategies and principles for noise attenuation and robustness to genetic or/and environmental perturbations in cell signaling, embryonic patterning, and regeneration driven by stem cells. In one case, I will introduce a critical quantity that dictates capability of attenuating temporal noises in feedback systems. In another case, I will show that noises in molecular signal transduction actually enable reduction of stochastic effects in spatial patterns during embryonic development. In addition, I will present several new experimental data in yeast cells and zebrafish embryo that support our modeling and computational predictions.

Host: Jin Wang, Department of Chemistry