CPM Seminar

Stochastic gene expression, cell size regulation and cellular decision making

Vahid Shahrezaei

Imperial College London

Gene expression is significantly stochastic making modelling of biochemical networks challenging. This stochasticity arises because of inherent stochasticity in biochemistry (intrinsic fluctuations), interactions of the system of interest with other stochastic systems in the cell or its environment (extrinsic fluctuations) and also random partitioning of biomolecules at cell division. I first present analytical and computational methods used to model stochastic dynamics of biochemical networks. I propose the stochastic gene expression may explain evolution of specific form of cell size regulation. Finally, I discuss the role of the stochasticity in lambda-phage fate decision making in bacteria.