Dynamical Networks in Physics and Biology

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XVI

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2. Introduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Cooperative Phenomena in Physical Networks

      • G. Forgacs

      Pages 3-13

3. Networks of Biopolymers

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15

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   2. Complex Networks in Cell Biology

      • P. A. Janmey, J. V. Shah, J. X. Tang

      Pages 17-25

   3. The Keratocyte Cytoskeleton: A Dynamic Structural Network

      • K. I. Anderson

      Pages 27-40

   4. Adhesion Mediated Signaling: The Role of Junctional Plaque Proteins in the Regulation of Tumorigenesis

      • A. Ben-Ze’ev

      Pages 41-49

   5. Of Proteins, Redox States and Living Things

      • L. Moldovan, P. J. Goldschmidt-Clermont

      Pages 51-66

   6. Tensegrity and the Emergence of a Cellular Biophysics

      • D. E. Ingber

      Pages 67-80

   7. The Leukocyte Actin Cytoskeleton

      • F. Richelme, A.-M. Benoliel, P. Bongrand

      Pages 81-91

   8. Branched Polymers and Gels

      • M. Daoud

      Pages 93-102

   9. Statistical Mechanics of Semiflexible Polymers: Theory and Experiment

      • E. Frey, K. Kroy, J. Wilhelm, E. Sackmann

      Pages 103-119

   10. Scale Effects, Anisotropy and Non-Linearity of Tensegrity Structures: Applications to Cell Mechanical Behavior

       • S. Wendling, E. Planus, D. Isabey, C. Oddou

       Pages 121-127

4. Cellular and Extracellular Networks

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 129-129

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   2. Networks of Extracellular Matrix and Adhesion Proteins

      • J. Engel

      Pages 131-138

   3. Networks of Extracellular Fibers and the Generation of Morphogenetic Forces

      • S. A. Newman

      Pages 139-148

   4. First Steps Towards a Comprehensive Model of Tissues, or: A Physicist Looks at Development

      • J. A. Glazier, A. Upadhyaya

      Pages 149-160

   5. Networks of Droplets Induced by Coalescence: Application to Cell Sorting

      • D. A. Beysens, G. Forgacs, J. A. Glazier

      Pages 161-169

   6. A Monte-Carlo Approach to Growing Solid Non-Vascular Tumors

      • D. Drasdo

      Pages 171-185

5. Genetic, Immune, Molecular and Metabolic Networks

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 187-187

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The 1997 Les Houches workshop on "Dynamical Network in Physics and Biology" was the third in a series of meetings "At the Frontier between Physics and Biology". Our objective with these workshops is to create a truly interdisciplinary forum for researchers working on outstanding problems in biology, but using different approaches (physical, chemical or biological). Generally speaking, the biologists are trained in the particular and motivated by the specifics, while, in contrast, the physicists deal with generic and "universal" models. All agree about the necessity of developing "robust" models. The specific aim of the workshop was to bridge the gap between physics and biology in the particular field of interconnected dynamical networks. The proper functioning of a living organism of any complexity requires the coordinated activity of a great number of "units". Units, or, in physical terms, degrees of freedom that couple to one another, typically form networks. The physical or biological properties of interconnected networks may drastically differ from those of the individual units: the whole is not simply an assembly of its parts, as can be demonstrated by the following examples. Above a certain (critical) concentration the metallic islands, randomly distributed in an insulating matrix, form an interconnected network. At this point the macroscopic conductivity of the system becomes finite and the amorphous metal is capable of carrying current. The value of the macroscopic conductivity typically is very different from the conductivity of the individual metallic islands.

• DNA
• biology
• biophysics
• cell
• cell biology
• cell membrane
• cytoskeleton
• immune system
• insects
• leukocyte
• membrane
• molecule
• regulation
• tissue
• tumors

• Département de Recherche Fondamentale sur la Matière Condensée, CEA Grenoble, Grenoble, France

  D. A. Beysens

• Department of Physics and Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, USA

  G. Forgacs

Policies and ethics