Unmasking chaotic attributes in time series of living cell populations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Long-range oscillations of the mammalian cell proliferation rate are commonly observed both in vivo and in vitro. Such complicated dynamics are generally the result of a combination of stochastic events and deterministic regulation. Assessing the role, if any, of chaotic regulation is difficult. However, unmasking chaotic dynamics is essential for analysis of cellular processes related to proliferation rate, including metabolic activity, telomere homeostasis, gene expression, and tumor growth.

Methodology/principal findings

Using a simple, original, nonlinear method based on return maps, we previously found a geometrical deterministic structure coordinating such fluctuations in populations of various cell types. However, nonlinearity and determinism are only neces

SUBMITTER: Laurent M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2825257 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature