Title: System biology: Control theoretic analysis of biochemical networks (1 hour)
Abstract: The tools of systems and control theory are finding new application in the field of molecular biology. Laboratory experiments are revealing interconnected networks of biochemicals which are responsible for a cell's primary functions. These systems are responsible for regulating cellular growth and activity, for processing intra- and extra-cellular information, and for controlling genetic expression. These networks have evolved to perform these tasks in a robust manner, allowing the cell to function under a wide variety of intra- and extra-cellular conditions.
The reductionist approach of molecular biology is not well suited to the reverse-engineering of these complex networks. Control and systems theory may provide the best approach to uncovering their structure and function. In this talk we will discuss the role of control theory in systems biology, taking a recent analysis of glycolytic oscillations as an example.