Understanding the Role of Stochasticity in Chemical and Biological Processes

了解随机性在化学和生物过程中的作用

基本信息

批准号：
1953453
负责人：
Anatoly Kolomeisky
金额：
$ 47万
依托单位：
William Marsh Rice University
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
Standard Grant
财政年份：
2020
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2020-08-01 至 2024-07-31
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1953453&HistoricalAwards=false
关键词：
Understanding Role Stochasticity Chemical Biological

项目摘要

Anatoly Kolomeisky of William Marsh University is supported by an award from the Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods program in the Division of Chemistry to theoretically investigate the role of various chemical and biological processes. It is known that chemical reactions are random or stochastic processes, i.e., the times before the products appear are varied and broadly distributed. All living systems rely on a large number chemical reactions to support and maintain their activities. The high efficiency of biological systems, however, raises a question of how random chemical reactions can lead to very precisely controlled biological processes. Professor Kolomeisky proposes that biological systems are able to properly tune the random chemical processes by utilizing several different mechanisms. By combining theoretical modeling, advanced computer simulations and extensive bioinformatics analysis, his research group investigates the mechanisms of various complex chemical and biological systems in order to clarify the role of randomness at the molecular level. Specific projects include: determination of the molecular origin of cell-size control in bacteria; understanding the mechanisms of transcription bursting; uncovering the role of motion in cancer initiation; and investigating the dynamics of heterogeneous catalytic chemical reactions. Close collaborations with experimental and theoretical groups enable testing of the new ideas on the role of randomness, and it promotes a deeper understanding of these complex natural processes. Professor Kolomeisky is providing opportunities for high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented groups to participate in this research and gain valuable training and experience for their future careers. A special summer research program for visiting female and minority undergraduate students is established. Outreach activities also include the presentation of chemical shows in local schools, co-organization of an undergraduate chemistry research symposium, public lectures delivered at local cafes, and continued collaboration with science writers in order to disseminate the this knowledge to a general public.Professor Kolomeisky focuses on developing a comprehensive theoretical description of stochastic effects in living cells by generating quantitative models for several specific biological and chemical phenomena. Theoretical analysis in his group is driven by a central hypothesis that cells are capable of tuning the randomness of biochemical reactions by using two main strategies, which involve a collective effect when many different stochastic processes are coupled together to cancel out the unfavorable random factors. They also observe a coupling of stochastic processes with external fields (mechanical, electrical, etc.) to control the random features. Professor Kolomeisky will specifically investigate several biological and chemical processes in order to quantify the effect of stochasticity in each of them. These processes are analyzed using a variety of theoretical tools including discrete-state stochastic models, first-passage analysis, bioinformatics methods, and extensive Monte Carlo computer simulations. An outreach program developed by Professor Kolomeisky provides the opportunity for local high-school students and undergraduate students from underrepresented minority groups to participate in scientific research in an academic setting via special summer research programs. Professor Kolomeisky organizes a team of chemistry graduate students to give chemical experiments shows in local schools, which are supplemented by popular lectures in order increase the interests in STEM topics. The project also highlights the benefits of science for society by directly presenting scientific findings to the local community in an informal setting of café discussions, as well as communicating with science writers in local newspapers and participating in scientific internet blog discussions. The broader impacts of this project include a multidisciplinary training program for young researchers of different levels that will prepare them better for future technological and industrial challenges.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

威廉马什大学的阿纳托利·科洛梅斯基 (Anatoly Kolomeisky) 获得了化学系化学理论、模型和计算方法项目的资助，从理论上研究了各种化学和生物过程的作用。众所周知，化学反应是随机过程。也就是说，产物出现之前的时间是多种多样且分布广泛的，所有生命系统都依赖于大量的化学反应来支持和维持其活动，然而，生物系统的高效率提出了一个问题：随机化学反应如何导致。 Kolomeisky 教授提出，生物系统能够利用几种不同的机制来正确调整随机化学过程，通过结合理论建模、先进的计算机模拟和广泛的生物信息学分析，他的研究小组研究了各种复杂的机制。化学和生物系统，以阐明随机性在分子水平上的作用，具体项目包括：确定细菌细胞大小控制的分子起源；了解转录爆发的机制；揭示运动在癌症发生中的作用；并调查动态与实验和理论小组的密切合作能够测试关于随机性作用的新想法，并促进对这些复杂自然过程的更深入理解，科洛梅斯基教授为来自代表性不足的高中生和本科生提供了机会。为访问女性和少数族裔本科生设立了一个特殊的夏季研究计划，该计划还包括在当地学校举办化学表演，共同组织化学表演。本科生化学研究研讨会、在当地咖啡馆举办的公开讲座以及与科学作家的持续合作，以便向公众传播这些知识。Kolomeisky 教授致力于通过几个特定的定量生成模型来开发活细胞中随机效应的全面理论描述他的小组的理论分析是由一个中心假设驱动的，即细胞能够通过使用两种主要策略来调整生化反应的随机性，这涉及当许多不同的随机过程耦合在一起时的集体效应。他们还观察随机过程与外部场（机械、电等）的耦合来控制随机特征，Kolomeisky 教授将专门研究几种生物和化学过程，以量化随机性的影响。这些过程均使用多种理论工具进行分析，包括离散状态随机模型、首次传代分析、生物信息学方法和广泛的蒙特卡罗计算机模拟。科洛梅斯基教授通过特殊的暑期研究项目，为当地高中生和来自弱势群体的本科生提供了在学术环境中参与科学研究的机会，科洛梅斯基教授组织了一支化学研究生团队在当地学校进行化学实验表演。并辅以热门讲座，以提高人们对 STEM 主题的兴趣。该项目还通过在非正式的咖啡馆讨论中向当地社区直接展示科学发现，以及与科学作家进行交流，强调科学对社会的好处。当地报纸该项目的更广泛影响包括为不同级别的年轻研究人员提供多学科培训计划，帮助他们更好地应对未来的技术和工业挑战。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并被认为值得支持。通过使用基金会的智力优点和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估。