The use of oscillatory signals in the study of genetic networks

Abstract

The structure of a genetic network is uncovered by studying its response to external stimuli (input signals). We present a theory of propagation of an input signal through a linear stochastic genetic network. It is found that there are important advantages in using oscillatory signals over step or impulse signals, and that the system may enter into a pure fluctuation resonance for a specific input frequency.

46 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to PNAS on May 27th 2004. The paper is under consideration