Gameiro, Daniel: Visualizing Gene Regulatory Network Dynamics Modeled By Systems Of Differential Equations

Title: Visualizing Gene Regulatory Network Dynamics Modeled By Systems Of Differential Equations

Name: Daniel Gameiro

Major: Computer Engineering

School affiliation: School of Engineering

Programs: Aresty Summer Science Program

Other contributors: Konstantin Mischaikow and Ewerton Vieira

Abstract: The dynamics of gene regulatory networks are very important to understand gene interactions in systems biology and have long been studied by biologists and applied mathematicians. Dynamic Signature Generated by Regulatory Networks (DSGRN) is a novel approach to these studies, in development by my research group. DSGRN decomposes the solution space into a grid of cells and finds the regions where the solutions make the network operate in a stable manner. In this project, we worked on the development and application of DSGRN and created a visualization tool to show this cell grid and have different indications highlighting where the stable solutions are. We used this tool to explore the parameter space of 2 node networks and identify parameter regions where there might be periodic solutions. The next step is to use numerical methods to try to find periodic solutions in these regions, which would be an important result in the study of 2 node networks. The visualization tool developed in this project will be very important in the study of dynamics of regulatory networks and will make it easier for biologists to utilize the findings of DSGRN without having to understand all the technical details of the math behind it.