Special Condensed Matter Seminar: The dynamical system behind cell decision during differentiation and reprogramming

Abstract:

Although the somatic cell nucleus loses its developmental potential, adult cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotency via ectopic delivery of the Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc transcription factors. Despite ongoing progress, the process that coordinates exiting from the pluripotent state as well as reprogramming from somatic to pluripotent state remains unclear.

To better understand the boundaries of pluripotency, we systematically destabilized the pluripotent state through exiting and re-entry to pluripotency. Using this approach we defined three early differentiated phases; exiting pluripotency, the cell progresses through a brief transient phase toward differentiation commitment.

Studying the transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics of this process, we found several key molecular parameters that define the pluripotency boundary.

We propose an effective model for transcription regulation that describes cells early differentiation. Using this model, we investigate dynamical properties of the system and suggest a few predictions for future study. Moreover, we present a new concept of effective gene network that can be useful for studying complex biological systems.