Biology by design: reduction and synthesis of cellular networks

By Lingchong You, Duke University

Oct 21, 2008

CNLS Conference room.

A central theme of our research is to better understand how cellular systems process diverse signals from the environment. We approach this issue by analyzing both naturally existing cellular networks and engineered ones.

In this talk, I'll discuss ongoing work in analyzing the regulation of mammalian cell cycle entry, focusing the concept of the restriction point (R-point). The R-point marks the critical event when a mammalian cell commits to proliferation and becomes independent of growth stimulation. It is fundamental to normal differentiation and tissue homeostasis and is dysregulated in virtually all cancers. Although the R-point has been linked to various activities involved in G1/S control, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Using single-cell measurements, we show that the Rb/E2F pathway functions as a bistable switch to convert graded serum inputs into all-or-none E2F responses. Once turned ON by sufficient serum stimulation, E2F can memorize and maintain this ON state, independent of continuous serum stimulation. We further show that, in both critical dose and timing responses, bistable E2F activation directly correlates with a cell's ability to traverse the R-point.

In addition to providing insights into cell cycle regulation, this analysis provides inspiration for engineering synthetic gene circuits to test basic design features of biological networks. To this end, I'll discuss our efforts to engineer a simple bistable switch in bacterium Escherichia coli, which have led to discovery of a novel mechanism in generating bistable gene expression.

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