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Functional roles for noise in genetic circuits

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  • Avigdor Eldar

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Caltech M/C 114-96, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
    Present address: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.)

  • Michael B. Elowitz

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Caltech M/C 114-96, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, USA)

Abstract

Noise in gene circuits Even genetically identical cells in a homogeneous environment can behave quite differently from one another because of the prevalence of unavoidable random fluctuations, or 'noise', in their levels and activities. Noise is something of a nuisance when it comes to developing reliable genetic circuits, and various control circuits have evolved to cope with it. But a new wave of studies is showing that noise can, and does, provide vital functions that would be difficult or impossible to achieve in 'noiseless' gene circuits. In this Review, Avigdor Eldar and Michael Elowitz discuss the emerging principles that connect noise, the architecture of gene circuits in which it appears, and the biological functions that it enables.

Suggested Citation

  • Avigdor Eldar & Michael B. Elowitz, 2010. "Functional roles for noise in genetic circuits," Nature, Nature, vol. 467(7312), pages 167-173, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:467:y:2010:i:7312:d:10.1038_nature09326
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09326
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