Berlin 2012 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 20: Regulation
BP 20.2: Talk
Thursday, March 29, 2012, 10:00–10:15, H 1058
Precision and synchronization of coupled genetic oscillators — •David J. Jörg1, Luis G. Morelli1,2, and Frank Jülicher1 — 1Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Str. 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany — 2Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
Biological systems rely on oscillatory processes serving as pacemakers to control important functions during development and life. Within cells, periodic patterns of activity can be generated by oscillations of protein concentrations. Intracellular fluctuations in protein numbers impair the precision of oscillations and thus limit their viability as pacemakers. In multicellular systems, communication between cells can couple their dynamics, give rise to synchronization, and affect the precision of oscillations. To study the effects of coupling on cell-autonomous oscillators in small cell clusters, we have devised a generic stochastic model that comprises negative feedback oscillators coupled through mutual regulation of protein production. We found that average coupling delays determine whether coupling improves or impairs the precision of oscillations and the ability to synchronize.