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VERSION:2.0
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METHOD:PUBLISH
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260921T022141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20181205T205140Z
DTSTART:20181211T203000Z
DTEND:20181211T213000Z
UID:event1988@bu.edu
URL:http://physics.bu.edu/internal/events/show/1988
SUMMARY:Phase Transitions and Criticality in Biological Networks: Implicati
	ons for Genes and Neurons
DESCRIPTION:Featuring Michelle Girvan \, University of Maryland\nHosted by:
	 Kirill Korolev\nPoster: http://physics.bu.edu/internal//files/download/Gir
	van-poster.pdf\n\nPart of the Physics Department Colloquia Series.\n\nExper
	imental evidence suggests that\, in order to maximize performance\, biologi
	cal networks often operate near the brink of failure. Because of the connec
	tions between such "tipping points" and the critical points of second order
	 phase transitions\, the methods of statistical and nonlinear physics are u
	seful for studying these systems. My research in this area explores phase t
	ransitions and critical dynamics in both networks of genes and networks of 
	neurons.  Modeling phase transitions in gene regulatory networks has led us
	 to propose a general mechanism underlying some cancers. Modeling phase tra
	nsitions in neuronal networks has allowed us to identify features of the br
	ain's wiring that are key for optimal information processing. For both netw
	orks of genes and networks of neurons\, studying how evolution shapes the p
	ath to criticality gives us insights into robustness and fragility in these
	 systems.
LOCATION:SCI 109\, 590 Commonwealth Avenue\, 02215
STATUS:CANCELLED
CLASS:PUBLIC
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