Roberto Serra

One of the major challenges in complex systems biology is that of providing a general theoretical... more One of the major challenges in complex systems biology is that of providing a general theoretical framework to describe the phenomena involved in cell differentiation, i.e., the process whereby stem cells, which can develop into different types, become progressively more specialized. The aim of this study is to briefly review a dynamical model of cell differentiation which is able to cover a broad spectrum of experimentally observed phenomena and to present some novel results.

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A Dynamical Model of Genetic Networks for Cell Differentiation

PLoS ONE, 2011

A mathematical model is proposed which is able to describe the most important features of cell di... more A mathematical model is proposed which is able to describe the most important features of cell differentiation, without requiring specific detailed assumptions concerning the interactions which drive the phenomenon. On the contrary, cell differentiation is described here as an emergent property of a generic model of the underlying gene regulatory network, and it can therefore be applied to a variety of different organisms. The model points to a peculiar role of cellular noise in differentiation and leads to non trivial predictions which could be subject to experimental testing. Moreover, a single model proves able to describe several different phenomena observed in various differentiation processes.

format_quoteGene regulatory networks operate close to a critical regime, balancing order and chaos, which is essential for evolutionary adaptation.format_quote

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Roberto Serra

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