Speaker:Gary Friedman, Drexel University
Title: On multi-stability and its evolution in biological networks and cells

Abstract: Mechanism of survival of living organisms in time varying environments is a classical problem in evolutionary biology. Memory associated with the existence of multiple stable phenotypes is said to be one such mechanism. It is now known that living organisms can pass not only genes, but their phenotype information as well directly from generation to generation. This talk will provide an overview of formation of multiple stable states and associated memory in cellular signaling networks and discuss some properties of this memory. Relationship between such memory and hysteresis in many other systems will be discussed paying special attention to the property known as return point memory. Several models of adaptive advantages of such memory in the process of evolution will also be considered in this talk.

Time: Friday, September 28, 2012, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Place: Planetary Hall (formerly S & T I), Room 242

Department of Mathematical Sciences
George Mason University
4400 University Drive, MS 3F2
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
http://math.gmu.edu/
Tel. 703-993-1460, Fax. 703-993-1491