Designing Gene Regulatory Networks With Specified Functions

To design and construct gene regulatory networks with specified functions, such as gene switches or gene oscillators, a precise mathematical description of the networks and their properties are developed from the viewpoint of integrated systems biology. The theoretical results provide insights into the modular structures of gene regulatory networks and their quantitative functions. Specifically, based on priori knowledge of the structure of functional modules, we use feedback system to create gene regulatory networks performing basic tasks. Two typical biological networks: positive and cyclic feedback networks are used to create functions as bistable switches or oscillators. The hybrid feedback networks are adopted to provide a variety of functional designs, which demonstrate the crucial role of interactions between biological modules