Gene Regulation in Space and Time, or From Ellipsoid Packing to Causal Inference – DaVinci Lecture (presented by Tau Beta Pi)

Abstract: Although the genetic information in each cell within an organism is identical, gene expression varies widely between different cell types. The quest to understand this phenomenon has led to many interesting mathematics problems. Experimental evidence suggests that the differential gene expression is related to the spatial organization of chromosomes in the cell nucleus. I will present a new model, based on ellipsoid packing and causal inference, that can link the 3d organization of chromosomes with gene regulation. Such models have important implications in understanding the mechanisms underlying cellular reprogramming events.