Finding the Center Reliably: Robust Patterns of Developmental Gene Expression
Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar
Finding the Center Reliably: Robust Patterns of Developmental Gene Expression
- Event time: 1:00pm
- Event date: 30th January 2006
- Speaker: Martin Howard (University of Edinburgh)
- Location: Room 2511, James Clerk Maxwell Building (JCMB) James Clerk Maxwell Building Peter Guthrie Tait Road Edinburgh EH9 3FD GB
Event details
We investigate a mechanism for the robust identification of the center of
a developing biological system. We assume the existence of two morphogen
gradients, an activator emanating from the anterior, and a corepressor
from the posterior. The corepressor inhibits the action of the activator
in switching on target genes. We apply this system to Drosophila embryos,
where we predict the existence of a hitherto undetected posterior
corepressor. Using mathematical modeling, we show that a symmetric
activator-corepressor model can quantitatively explain the precise
midembryo expression boundary of the hunchback gene, and the scaling of
this pattern with embryo size.
See: Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 208103 (2005)
See: Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 208103 (2005)
About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars
This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..