Dynamic Pattern in Chemically Reacting Systems

描述(申请人提供)：这项研究的长期目标是加深我们对信号转导和基因控制网络的理解，特别是当它们与发育生物学中的模式形成有关时。这项工作涉及对特定生物系统的分析，以及一般分析和计算技术的发展。主要项目有：(1)果蝇模式形成与肢体发育的研究；(2)大肠杆菌信号转导、运动控制和模式形成的研究。(1)的目的是开发、分析和测试果蝇早期胚胎发育中沿背腹轴的图案模型，以及果蝇翼盘的图案和生长和形状变化的影响。(2)项下的目的是通过分析受体聚集的模型来了解大肠杆菌信号转导高增益的来源，将新的受体模型整合到一个完整的趋化信号转导途径模型中，将该模型与鞭毛运动控制模型相结合，并利用个体行为的详细模型来理解宏观的、种群水平的空间模式。在这两个项目中，一个重要的任务将是了解信号转导和基因控制网络的拓扑结构如何影响网络中组件的随机波动，从而了解什么相互作用模式确保可靠的输出。(1)的研究将促进我们对发育生物学中信号转导、基因控制和模式形成等基本过程的理解。更好地了解这些基本过程将有助于更好地理解系统如何对其环境做出反应，如何扰乱正常的发展，以及如何纠正异常的发展。(2)中的工作结果将有助于我们理解细胞外信号如何转化为细菌的运动控制，个体的微观行为如何在种群水平的描述中反映，以及营养供应和化学趋化因子如何控制模式的形成。这一结果将为深入了解生物膜的形成因素提供依据。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long range objectives of this research are to further our understanding of signal transduction and gene control networks, particularly as they relate to pattern formation in developmental biology. The work involves analysis of specific biological systems, as well as the development of general analytical and computational techniques. The (major projects are: (1) studies on pattern formation in Drosophila and limb development, and (2) studies on signal transduction, motor control and pattern formation in E. coli. The aim under (1) are the development, analysis and testing of models of patterning along the dorsal-ventral axes in early embryonic development of Drosophila, and of patterning and the effects of growth and shape changes in the wing discs in Drosophila The aims under (2) are to understand the origin of high gain in signal transduction in E. coli by analyzing models of receptor clustering, to incorporate new receptor models into a complete model for the chemotactic signal transduction pathway, to integrate this model with a model for the control of the flagellar motor, and to understand macroscopic, population-level spatial patterns using detailed models of individual behavior. In both of these projects a significant task will be to understand how the topology of signal transduction and gene control networks affects the stochastic fluctuations of components in the network, and thereby to understand what patterns of interactions ensure reliable outputs. The research in (1) will advance our understanding of basic processes in developmental biology such as signal transduction, gene control, and pattern formation. A better understanding of these fundamental processes will contribute to a better understanding of how systems respond to their environment, how normal development can be disrupted and perhaps how abnormal development can be corrected. The results of the work in (2) will contribute to our understanding of how extracellular signals are transduced into motor control in bacteria, how the microscopic behavior of individuals is reflected in population-level descriptions, and how nutrient supply and chemotactic factors control pattern formation. This result will provide insight into factors that are involved in the formation of biofilms.