Cell signaling: a systems approach
Författare
Summary, in English
All higher functions of the cell are dependent on cell signaling. It is the way of the cell to obtain information
about the world surrounding it. By getting information on e.g. temperature, glucose concentrations, or the
density of neighboring cells, the cell can make decisions on how to optimally act given the supplied information.
Even though cells are very different, some of the basic mechanisms governing the signaling are the same
everywhere – from the most simple single-cellular bacteria to the cells we find in our bodies.
In this thesis we will study cell signaling in three different types of cells: in Paper I we study the TGF-β pathway
in endothelial mammal cells, in Paper II and Paper III the biofilm formation and quorum sensing of bacterial
cells, and in Paper IV plant stem cells. We use a combination of rate-equation models, mechanical cell-based
models, and statistical tools to study the dynamics of these networks. By this approach we can find and validate
hypotheses in cases where mere biological intuition is not enough. We can also indentify key components and
modules of the systems, and predict quantities not yet measured. This provides a work flow where the model
is set up to test hypotheses against available data, the model suggests new experiments which later can be used
to further improve the model. The approach of combining experimental data with mathematical modeling has
proven to be very fruitful for the understanding of many biological systems.
about the world surrounding it. By getting information on e.g. temperature, glucose concentrations, or the
density of neighboring cells, the cell can make decisions on how to optimally act given the supplied information.
Even though cells are very different, some of the basic mechanisms governing the signaling are the same
everywhere – from the most simple single-cellular bacteria to the cells we find in our bodies.
In this thesis we will study cell signaling in three different types of cells: in Paper I we study the TGF-β pathway
in endothelial mammal cells, in Paper II and Paper III the biofilm formation and quorum sensing of bacterial
cells, and in Paper IV plant stem cells. We use a combination of rate-equation models, mechanical cell-based
models, and statistical tools to study the dynamics of these networks. By this approach we can find and validate
hypotheses in cases where mere biological intuition is not enough. We can also indentify key components and
modules of the systems, and predict quantities not yet measured. This provides a work flow where the model
is set up to test hypotheses against available data, the model suggests new experiments which later can be used
to further improve the model. The approach of combining experimental data with mathematical modeling has
proven to be very fruitful for the understanding of many biological systems.
Publiceringsår
2010
Språk
Engelska
Dokumenttyp
Doktorsavhandling
Ämne
- Biophysics
Status
Published
Handledare
- Henrik Jönsson
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISBN: 978-91-628-8035-4
Försvarsdatum
15 mars 2010
Försvarstid
10:15
Försvarsplats
Sal F, Sölvegatan 14A
Opponent
- Petros Koumoutsakos