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SUMMARY:Stochastic events in cell signalling - Dr Dennis Bray\, (Departmen
 t of Physiology\, Development and Neuroscience)
DTSTART:20060623T125500Z
DTEND:20060623T134000Z
UID:TALK5087@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Duncan Simpson
DESCRIPTION:Stochastic Events in Cell signalling \nThe set of biochemical 
 reactions by which an E. coli bacterium detects and responds to distant so
 urces of attractant or repellent molecules is probably the simplest and be
 st understood example of a cell signalling pathway. The pathway has been s
 aturated genetically and all of its protein components have been isolated\
 , measured biochemically\, and their atomic structures determined. We are 
 using detailed computer simulations\, tied to experimental data\, to ask h
 ow the pathway works as an integrated unit. Increasingly we find that the 
 physical location of molecular components within the molecular jungle of t
 he cell interior is crucial for an understanding of their function. Allost
 eric interactions between protein molecules appear to be important for the
  switching characteristics of the flagellar motor\, and the high amplifica
 tion of signals at the chemotactic receptors.\n\nA suite of algorithms (ca
 lled Smoldyn - for Smoluchowski Dynamics) was developed by Steven Andrews 
 to track the diffusive trajectory and chemical reactions of individual mol
 ecules in three dimensions. Karen Lipkow is now using this program to expl
 ore the movements of CheY - the only freely diffusing protein in the bacte
 rial chemotaxis pathway - through the bacterial cytoplasm. We are addressi
 ng such questions as how quickly CheY diffuses from the receptors to the f
 lagellar motors? What gradients of CheY are be set up and how will they de
 pend on external stimuli? We are particularly interested in the issue of m
 olecular crowding and how this will affect diffusion in the cytoplasm and 
 hence the bacterial response. \n\nFor more information please see: http://
 www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/comp-cell\n
LOCATION:Emmanuel College Cambridge
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