Timing Cellular Decision Making Under Noise via Cell–Cell Communication
Author Information
Author(s): Koseska Aneta, Zaikin Alexey, Kurths Jürgen, García-Ojalvo Jordi
Primary Institution: Center for Dynamics of Complex Systems, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Hypothesis
Can reliable decision-making processes in cells be achieved despite the presence of noise through cell-cell communication?
Conclusion
The study shows that larger populations of cells can make reliable decisions by reducing the impact of noise through cell-cell communication.
Supporting Evidence
- Cell populations can average out noise, leading to more reliable decision-making.
- Increasing the size of the cell population reduces the frequency of noise-induced jumps between states.
- Cell-cell communication allows for decision-making processes to be timed based on population size.
Takeaway
Cells can make better decisions when they work together, especially when there are a lot of them, because they can help each other ignore random noise.
Methodology
Theoretical modeling of a population of noise-driven bistable genetic switches was used to study decision-making processes.
Limitations
The model assumes fast diffusion of signaling molecules and does not account for spatial distribution of cells.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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