Regulatory Networks: Analysis and Control

Living beings have evolved intricate and subtle molecular mechanisms, that characterize the complex phenotypes they exhibit. These molecular networks are often modular, hierarchical and encode regulatory motifs that play a role in specifying the function. It may be possible to identify mechanisms with which one can tweak the architecture of these regulatory networks, thereby controlling its function. This may be achieved via genetic manipulations, design and engineering of molecules of desired properties and by use of chemicals that could specifically regulate the key biomolecules.

Understanding Brain as a Networked System

Brains of living organisms are complex interconnected organs shaped by natural selection. Human brain, in particular, is an awesome entity. It can process mind-boggling range of details; synthesise intricate prose, poetry, painting, abstract mathematics, to mention but only few of its facets.

All of these facets arise from the activities of the web of neurons. These "mysterious butterflies of the soul", as Cajal described them, interacting with each others create the persona, the conscious self, reflecting everything that is described above and more (the so called "Astonishing Hypothesis" of Francis Crick).

It would be interesting to fathom these "neuronal networks" to comprehend the properties that this complex system has. One way to model it is as the neuronal connectivity network, for which the data is bound to increase with projects such as " Determination of Brainwide Neuroanatomical Connectivity" [1]. The other model is one that is based on the fMRI data: the brain functional connectivity network. This has been used to explore the network correlates of schizophrenia, ADHD and attributes such as IQ and short-term memory.

Such models enrich us on our way to understanding brains with a well-tested computational framework. It could be possible to design rigorous mathematical models further. With the help of the network parameters and features derived, potentially, various enhancement tools and diagnostic tests for many diseases could be developed.

[1] "A Proposal for a Coordinated Effort for the Determination of Brainwide Neuroanatomical Connectivity in Model Organisms at a Mesoscopic Scale", Bohland et al., PLoS Computational Biology, 5, 3, e1000334 (2009).