The last (Zoom) NBIA Colloquium for this spring

Title: Chaos in Cells

Speaker: Mogens Høgh Jensen (NBI) 

Abstract: When some human cells are damaged or stressed they respond by oscillating protein densities as have been observed for two famous proteins/transcription factors p53 and NF-kB. The oscillations have a period of 3-5 hours and appear in both healthy and sick cells. p53 is a cancer gene while NF-kB plays a role in diabetes. One hypothesis is that the cell tries to repair its DNA during each period. We formulate genetic networks of the dynamical response where a negative feed-back loop is needed to induce oscillations. By apply an external periodic protein signal, the internal oscillation locks to the external signal and thus controls the genes.

The locking occurs when the ratio between the two frequencies is a rational number leading to Arnold tongues. If tongues overlap, chaotic dynamics appear which strongly influence gene production. The oscillations can be used as a diagnostic tool to distinguish different cancers. We work with experimental groups at Harvard Medical, Beijing and Chicago.

To participate on Friday, click on:

https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/s/61727079110?pwd=TUdGUDU2TUpPRGtua283MDNsT2pXUT09

If you should be asked for a password, please insert the following:

TUdGUDU2TUpPRGtua283MDNsT2pXUT09

The colloquium will be moderated by Joachim Mathiesen.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!