Statistische Physik der Transkription und ihrer Regulierung

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stefan Klumpp
• Subject Area: Biophysics
• Term: from 2005 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 17321752

Transcription is the first step in gene expression. It is tightly controlled both during the recruitment of RNA polymerases to the DNA, and during their movement along the DNA. The second type of control is the subject of this project where it is studied theoretically using methods from statistical physics. We have introduced a stochastic model for the complex dynamics of the RNA polymerase movement – and for the traffic of many polymerases on the same DNA template, because interactions of RNA polymerases play an important role – which we will use to develop a quantitative theoretical description of the control mechanisms which act on the traffic of RNA polymerases. So far, such a quantitative description is only available for the control of the initiation of transcription, but not for control during later stages. In addition, we will model how the concentration and activity of the transcription machinery itself is controlled as part of the control of cellular growth.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Terence Hwa