Abstract: Model and modulate the cellular state of silence
Cellular quiescence is a âsleep-likeâ non-proliferative state. Reactivating quiescent cells (e.g., fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and adult stem cells) to divide is fundamental to tissue repair and regeneration. Often described as the âG0 phaseâ, quiescence is not a homogeneous state. Cells change their quiescence depths upon changes in extracellular environments and over time, e.g., during aging. Quiescence depth is inversely associated with the tendency of cells to re-enter the cell cycle and divide upon growth stimulation. In this talk, we will discuss our recent modeling and experimental study of quiescence depth control via toggle and dimmer switch mechanisms emerging at the Rb-E2F gene network level and via its crosstalk with other gene networks (e.g., circadian clock).
