Benjamin Dubin-Thaler | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

Formation of regulatory patterns during signal propagation in a Mammalian cellular network.

We developed a model of 545 components (nodes) and 1259 interactions representing signaling pathways and cellular machines in the hippocampal CA1 neuron. Using graph theory methods, we analyzed ligand-induced signal flow through the system. Specification of input and output nodes allowed us to identify functional modules. Networking resulted in the emergence of regulatory motifs, such as positive and negative feedback and feedforward loops, that process information. Key regulators of plasticity were highly connected nodes required for the formation of regulatory motifs, indicating the potential importance of such motifs in determining cellular choices between homeostasis and plasticity.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Dynamic phase transitions in cell spreading.

We monitored isotropic spreading of mouse embryonic fibroblasts on fibronectin-coated substrates. Cell adhesion area versus time was measured via total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. Spreading proceeds in well-defined phases. We found a power-law area growth with distinct exponents in three sequential phases, which we denote as basal, continuous, and contractile spreading. High resolution differential interference contrast microscopy was used to characterize local membrane dynamics at the spreading front. Fourier power spectra of membrane velocity reveal the sudden development of periodic membrane retractions at the transition from continuous to contractile spreading. We propose that the classification of cell spreading into phases with distinct functional characteristics and protein activity serves as a paradigm for a general program of a phase classification of cellular phenotype.

Animals↗