Trigger waves in cell signalling

The Ferrell lab studies signal transduction and cell cycle regulation, mainly focusing the spatial and temporal regulation of mitotic entry and exit. They explore how the individual proteins that regulate these processes work together in circuits, generating reliable systems-level behaviors, by using quantitative experimental approaches, modeling, and theory. Much of their work make use of Xenopus laevis oocytes, eggs, embryos, and extracts, as well as mammalian cell lines.

About the talk

Ferrell’s group has been exploring the question of how regulatory signals spread through cells. By using as model system Xenopus egg extracts, the lab demonstrated that Cdk1 activity - which makes mitosis happen - and caspase-3/7 - which makes apoptosis happen - spread through the cytoplasm via what are termed trigger waves. There is good evidence that they do also in intact Xenopus eggs. Trigger waves require only three basic ingredients (positive feedback in the biochemical reactions, a mechanism for local spatial coupling, and a localized initiation point). The Ferrell lab suspects that they will prove to be widespread in the coordination of signaling in large cells and tissues.