The classical view of cellular decision making is that individual cells make predictable choices based on the information presented to them in the form of both environmental and intracellular signals. However, recent theoretical and experimental studies have unambiguously shown that biological noise, typically arising from inherent stochasticity in underlying biochemical reactions or variability in cellular machinery, ca often play a crucial role in influencing cell fate outcomes. In this proposal, we examine the interconnected roles of signaling and noise in cell differentiation and we hypothesize that noise in cell signaling molecules can engender entirely new trajectories from one cell state to another. We will use computational and synthetic biology approaches to understand how such trajectories may arise, and we will use systems biology approaches to experimentally demonstrate and manipulate these trajectories in model systems of neurogenesis and hematopoiesis. The results of our study will yield deeper insights into the fundamental mechanisms underlying cellular decision making, particularly in differentiation, and should allow for more robust engineering of stem and progenitor cells for applications in regenerative medicine.

Public Health Relevance

A better understanding of the interplay between cell signaling and noise has broad relevance to public health, since the insights gained from our study should aid in the robust engineering of new tissues from stem and progenitor cells. This work will also improve our understanding of life-threatening ailments such as cancer and infectious diseases, since cell heterogeneity is a vital factor in their progression.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM113985-01
Application #
8857757
Study Section
Modeling and Analysis of Biological Systems Study Section (MABS)
Program Officer
Lyster, Peter
Project Start
2015-04-08
Project End
2020-03-31
Budget Start
2015-04-08
Budget End
2016-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$345,518
Indirect Cost
$108,018
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Ye, Zi; Sarkar, Casim A (2018) Towards a Quantitative Understanding of Cell Identity. Trends Cell Biol 28:1030-1048
Shah, Najaf A; Levesque, Marshall J; Raj, Arjun et al. (2015) Robust hematopoietic progenitor cell commitment in the presence of a conflicting cue. J Cell Sci 128:3009-17