Einladung zum Vortrag im Kolloquium Technische Kybernetik

Multistationarity in reaction networks with mass action kinetics

Prof. Dietrich Flockerzi
Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems
Max Planck Institute
Magdeburg

    Zeit: Freitag· 29. 02. 2008 · 11:00 Uhr
    Ort: IST-Seminarraum 3.241 · Pfaffenwaldring 9 · Campus Stuttgart-Vaihingen

Abstract

In analyzing and mathematical modeling of complex (bio)chemical reaction networks, formal methods that connect network structure and dynamic behavior are needed because often quantitative knowledge of the networks is very limited. The question whether or not a given network topology is able to exhibit bistability or some other form of multistationarity is of particular interest, e.g. for model discrimination, since such phenomena are observed in many biochemical reaction networks. Especially if the focus is on signal transduction or cell cycle regulation. We address 3 topics.

• For certain network structures we show that it is possible to determine analytically critical states and critical parameters where saddle-node bifurcations occur.
• By analyzing suitable subnetworks we extend the applicability of the Chemical Reaction Network Theory to more complex networks. For an example inspired by cell cycle control in budding yeast, our subnetwork approach allows for model discrimination, identification of key mechanisms for multistationarity and robustness analysis.
• To find the parameter regions exhibiting multistationarity is a nontrivial task as it amounts to scanning the whole parameter space. For a class of networks (cf. MAPK(K) and MEK/ERK), we derive analytical descriptions of these regions. Our results give rise to a straightforward explanation for the robust yet fragile behaviour, e.g. in the activation of an MAPK.

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