Spatial Stochastic Simulation of Cellular Polarization in Yeast Mating |
Cell polarization is a fundamental process that underlies many aspects
of cell and developmental biology. In the polarization process,
cellular components that were previously uniformly distributed become
asymmetrically localized to create the complexity of form and function
that are the hallmark of biological systems. One of the best-studied
examples of cell polarization is the growth of the mating projection
(shmoo) during yeast mating. Yeast cells localize specific proteins to
the front of the cell in response to a spatial gradient of mating
pheromone secreted by the partner. The spatial sensing and response
exhibit remarkable sensitivity, dynamic range, and robustness.
We develop mathematical models that describe the spatial dynamics
of yeast cell polarization in response to spatial gradients of mating
pheromone. Our multidisciplinary effort of modeling and simulation
intertwined with experiment has as its objectives to understand the role of
stochasticity in the cell polarization process and to develop the
next-generation computational algorithms and software for spatial
stochastic simulation of cell polarization in general.
|
|
 |
| Figure 1: Single stochastic trajectory of activated G-protein (Gamma-Beta sub-unit) |
 |
| Figure 2: Ensemble of 1000 stochastic trajectories of activated G-protein (Gamma-Beta sub-unit) |
This work is in collaboration with Professor Mustafa Khammash (UCSB Department of Mechanical Engineering), and Professor Tau-Mu Yi (UC Irvine, Department of Developmental and Cell Biology), and their research groups.
|
|