Dresden 2014 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 24: Systems biology

BP 24.5: Invited Talk

Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 10:45–11:15, ZEU 250

Gene expression in embryos: from single molecules to network dynamics — •Thomas Gregor — Joseph Henry Laboratories of Physics and Lewis Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, USA

The nodes of the pattern forming segmentation network in the early fly embryo are transcription factors, i.e. proteins that cross-regulate each other via activating or repressive interactions. Hence, in order to answer questions about the physical underpinnings of this network, obtaining quantitative access to the transcription processes is key. In particular, in addition to proteins, quantitative handles to other molecular species such as RNA-polymerases and mRNA molecules are crucial to understand the transition from one network node to the next. I will report on our recent progress in developing methods to count individual molecules of mRNA in intact embryos, and to monitor the transcriptional activity of nascent mRNA at their site of production on the DNA in living fly embryos. Initial results using these methods will be discussed.