New Models Question Old Assumptions About How Many Molecules It Takes To Control Cell Division
Sunday, March 8, 2009 - 11:28
in Biology & Nature
A single cell is exquisitely sensitive to its surroundings. It receives input signals, processes the information, makes decisions, and issues commands for making the proper response. As with any control system, noise -- errors, slip-ups, misreads -- can get in the way of correct decision making. Biologists and engineers have created a mathematical model to explore the roles of noise in controlling the basic events of the cell cycle.