The Problem of Colliding Networks and its Relation to Cancer

Details The Problem of Colliding Networks and its Relation to Cancer The Problem of Colliding Networks and its Relation to Cancer

2012-01-13

arxiv.org/abs/1201.2929v1

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Molecular Networks

Scientific paper

Complex systems, ranging from living cells to human societies, can be represented as attractor networks, whose basic property is to exist in one of allowed states, or attractors. We noted that merging two systems that are in distinct attractors creates uncertainty, as the hybrid system cannot assume two attractors at once. As a prototype of this problem, we explore cell fusion, whose ability to combine distinct cells into hybrids was proposed to cause cancer. By simulating cell types as attractors, we find that hybrids are prone to assume spurious attractors, which are emergent and sporadic states of networks, and propose that cell fusion can make a cell cancerous by placing it into normally inaccessible spurious states. We define basic features of hybrid networks and suggest that the problem of colliding networks has general significance in processes represented by attractor networks, including biological, social, and political phenomena.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Problem of Colliding Networks and its Relation to Cancer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Problem of Colliding Networks and its Relation to Cancer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Problem of Colliding Networks and its Relation to Cancer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-693179