On Switches and Oscillators. Or: Program Equivalence in Biology?
Abstract
I will describe a connection between a clever computer science algorithm and a simple chemical system (with 4 reactions), and then a more complex connection between that chemical system and a biological system (a switch) that is universally found as part of cell cycle oscillators. I will also discuss a general abstract model of those oscillators and how they are implemented 'in practice' in natural systems. These connections are examples of 'program transformations' that preserve some desirable functionality. The underlying unsolved question is: can we formalize (quantitatively) such suggestive connections?
AUTHORS: Luca Cardelli - Microsoft Research
WHEN: Thusday, May 5th, 2011, 16:00
WHERE: Sala Congressi Pier della Francesca
DATE-TAG:2011
- Individual Seminars (IS)