Critical dynamics in genetic regulatory networks: examples from four kingdoms.

ABSTRACT: The coordinated expression of the different genes in an organism is essential to sustain functionality under the random external perturbations to which the organism might be subjected. To cope with such external variability, the global dynamics of the genetic network must possess two central properties. (a) It must be robust enough as to guarantee stability under a broad range of external conditions, and (b) it must be flexible enough to recognize and integrate specific external signals that may help the organism to change and adapt to different environments. This compromise between robustness and adaptability has been observed in dynamical systems operating at the brink of a phase transition between order and chaos. Such systems are termed critical. Thus, criticality, a precise, measurabl

SUBMITTER: Balleza E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2423472 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature