12 research outputs found
Stochastic analysis of nonlinear dynamics and feedback control for gene regulatory networks with applications to synthetic biology
The focus of the thesis is the investigation of the generalized repressilator model
(repressing genes ordered in a ring structure). Using nonlinear bifurcation analysis
stable and quasi-stable periodic orbits in this genetic network are characterized
and a design for a switchable and controllable genetic oscillator is proposed. The
oscillator operates around a quasi-stable periodic orbit using the classical engineering
idea of read-out based control. Previous genetic oscillators have been
designed around stable periodic orbits, however we explore the possibility of
quasi-stable periodic orbit expecting better controllability.
The ring topology of the generalized repressilator model has spatio-temporal
symmetries that can be understood as propagating perturbations in discrete lattices.
Network topology is a universal cross-discipline transferable concept and
based on it analytical conditions for the emergence of stable and quasi-stable
periodic orbits are derived. Also the length and distribution of quasi-stable oscillations
are obtained. The findings suggest that long-lived transient dynamics
due to feedback loops can dominate gene network dynamics.
Taking the stochastic nature of gene expression into account a master equation
for the generalized repressilator is derived. The stochasticity is shown to influence
the onset of bifurcations and quality of oscillations. Internal noise is shown to
have an overall stabilizing effect on the oscillating transients emerging from the
quasi-stable periodic orbits.
The insights from the read-out based control scheme for the genetic oscillator
lead us to the idea to implement an algorithmic controller, which would direct
any genetic circuit to a desired state. The algorithm operates model-free, i.e. in
principle it is applicable to any genetic network and the input information is a
data matrix of measured time series from the network dynamics. The application
areas for readout-based control in genetic networks range from classical tissue
engineering to stem cells specification, whenever a quantitatively and temporarily
targeted intervention is required
Switchable Genetic Oscillator Operating in Quasi-Stable Mode
Ring topologies of repressing genes have qualitatively different long-term
dynamics if the number of genes is odd (they oscillate) or even (they exhibit
bistability). However, these attractors may not fully explain the observed
behavior in transient and stochastic environments such as the cell. We show
here that even repressilators possess quasi-stable, travelling-wave periodic
solutions that are reachable, long-lived and robust to parameter changes. These
solutions underlie the sustained oscillations observed in even rings in the
stochastic regime, even if these circuits are expected to behave as switches.
The existence of such solutions can also be exploited for control purposes:
operation of the system around the quasi-stable orbit allows us to turn on and
off the oscillations reliably and on demand. We illustrate these ideas with a
simple protocol based on optical interference that can induce oscillations
robustly both in the stochastic and deterministic regimes.Comment: 24 pages, 5 main figure
Toggling a Genetic Switch Using Reinforcement Learning
In this paper, we consider the problem of optimal exogenous control of gene
regulatory networks. Our approach consists in adapting an established
reinforcement learning algorithm called the fitted Q iteration. This algorithm
infers the control law directly from the measurements of the system's response
to external control inputs without the use of a mathematical model of the
system. The measurement data set can either be collected from wet-lab
experiments or artificially created by computer simulations of dynamical models
of the system. The algorithm is applicable to a wide range of biological
systems due to its ability to deal with nonlinear and stochastic system
dynamics. To illustrate the application of the algorithm to a gene regulatory
network, the regulation of the toggle switch system is considered. The control
objective of this problem is to drive the concentrations of two specific
proteins to a target region in the state space.Comment: 12 pages, presented at the 9th French Meeting on Planning, Decision
Making and Learning, Li\`ege (Belgium), May 12-13, 201
Approximate Bayesian computation scheme for parameter inference and model selection in dynamical systems
Approximate Bayesian computation methods can be used to evaluate posterior
distributions without having to calculate likelihoods. In this paper we discuss
and apply an approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) method based on sequential
Monte Carlo (SMC) to estimate parameters of dynamical models. We show that ABC
SMC gives information about the inferability of parameters and model
sensitivity to changes in parameters, and tends to perform better than other
ABC approaches. The algorithm is applied to several well known biological
systems, for which parameters and their credible intervals are inferred.
Moreover, we develop ABC SMC as a tool for model selection; given a range of
different mathematical descriptions, ABC SMC is able to choose the best model
using the standard Bayesian model selection apparatus.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figure
Engineering and ethical perspectives in synthetic biology: Rigorous, robust and predictable designs, public engagement and a modern ethical framework are vital to the continued success of synthetic biology
The applications of synthetic biology will involve the release of artificial life forms into the environment. These organisms will present unique safety challenges that need to be addressed by researchers and regulators to win public engagement and support
Two first-in-human studies of xentuzumab, a humanised insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-neutralising antibody, in patients with advanced solid tumours
BACKGROUND: Xentuzumab, an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1/IGF-2-neutralising antibody, binds IGF-1 and IGF-2, inhibiting
their growth-promoting signalling. Two first-in-human trials assessed the maximum-tolerated/relevant biological dose (MTD/RBD),
safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and activity of xentuzumab in advanced/metastatic solid cancers.
METHODS: These phase 1, open-label trials comprised dose-finding (part I; 3 + 3 design) and expansion cohorts (part II; selected
tumours; RBD [weekly dosing]). Primary endpoints were MTD/RBD.
RESULTS: Study 1280.1 involved 61 patients (part I: xentuzumab 10–1800 mg weekly, n = 48; part II: 1000 mg weekly, n = 13); study
1280.2, 64 patients (part I: 10–3600 mg three-weekly, n = 33; part II: 1000 mg weekly, n = 31). One dose-limiting toxicity occurred;
the MTD was not reached for either schedule. Adverse events were generally grade 1/2, mostly gastrointestinal. Xentuzumab
showed dose-proportional pharmacokinetics. Total plasma IGF-1 increased dose dependently, plateauing at ~1000 mg/week; at
≥450 mg/week, IGF bioactivity was almost undetectable. Two partial responses occurred (poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal
carcinoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour). Integration of biomarker and response data by Bayesian Logistic
Regression Modeling (BLRM) confirmed the RBD.
CONCLUSIONS: Xentuzumab was well tolerated; MTD was not reached. RBD was 1000 mg weekly, confirmed by BLRM.
Xentuzumab showed preliminary anti-tumour activity
Clonal Interference in the Evolution of Influenza
The seasonal influenza A virus undergoes rapid evolution to escape human immune response. Adaptive changes occur primarily in antigenic epitopes, the antibody-binding domains of the viral hemagglutinin. This process involves recurrent selective sweeps, in which clusters of simultaneous nucleotide fixations in the hemagglutinin coding sequence are observed about every 4 years. Here, we show that influenza A (H3N2) evolves by strong clonal interference. This mode of evolution is a red queen race between viral strains with different beneficial mutations. Clonal interference explains and quantifies the observed sweep pattern: we find an average of at least one strongly beneficial amino acid substitution per year, and a given selective sweep has three to four driving mutations on average. The inference of selection and clonal interference is based on frequency time series of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which are obtained from a sample of influenza genome sequences over 39 years. Our results imply that mode and speed of influenza evolution are governed not only by positive selection within, but also by background selection outside antigenic epitopes: immune adaptation and conservation of other viral functions interfere with each other. Hence, adapting viral proteins are predicted to be particularly brittle. We conclude that a quantitative understanding of influenza's evolutionary and epidemiological dynamics must be based on all genomic domains and functions coupled by clonal interference
Toggling a genetic switch using reinforcement learning
peer reviewedIn this paper, we consider the problem of optimal exogenous control of gene regulatory networks. Our approach consists in adapting an established reinforcement learning algorithm called the fitted Q iteration. This algorithm infers the control law directly from the measurements of the system’s response to external control inputs without the use of a mathematical model of the system. The measurement data set can either be collected from wet-lab experiments or artificially created by computer simulations of dynamical models of the system. The algorithm is applicable to a wide range of biological systems due to its ability to deal with nonlinear and stochastic system dynamics. To illustrate the application of the algorithm to a gene regulatory network, the regulation of the toggle switch system is considered. The control objective of this problem is to drive the concentrations of two specific proteins to a target region in the state space
A phase I study of volasertib combined with afatinib, in advanced solid tumors
PURPOSE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of volasertib, a Polo-like kinase inhibitor, combined with afatinib, an oral irreversible ErbB family blocker, in patients with advanced solid tumors (NCT01206816; Study 1230.20). METHODS: Patients with advanced non-resectable and/or metastatic disease following failure of conventional treatment received intravenous volasertib 150-300 mg on day 1 every 21 days, combined with oral afatinib 30-40 mg on days 2-21 of a 3-week cycle (Schedule A), or 50-90 mg on days 2-6 of a 3-week cycle (Schedule B). The primary objective was to determine the MTD of volasertib in combination with afatinib. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (Schedule A, N = 29; Schedule B, N = 28) were treated. The MTDs were volasertib 300 mg plus afatinib 30 mg days 2-21 and 70 mg days 2-6 of a 3-week cycle for Schedules A and B, respectively. The most common Grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (31.0 %), diarrhea (13.8 %), and thrombocytopenia (10.3 %) in Schedule A; neutropenia (39.3 %), thrombocytopenia (35.7 %), hypokalemia (14.3 %), febrile neutropenia, and nausea (each 10.7 %) in Schedule B. The best overall response was two partial responses (6.9 %; both in Schedule A); eight patients in each schedule achieved stable disease. Volasertib showed multi-exponential pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior; co-administration of volasertib and afatinib had no significant effects on the PK profile of either drug. CONCLUSIONS: Volasertib combined with afatinib had manageable adverse effects and limited antitumor activity in this heavily pretreated population