TIME CHANGE -- BNMC Seminar:   Life at Low Molecule Number

Terrence J. Sejnowski
Professor of Computational Neurobiology
Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Transient molecular signals occur in microdomains that are typically neither well mixed nor in equilibirum.  The number of molecules is often so small that large fluctuations occur.  As a consequence, knowing the spatial organization of the molecular components is essential in understanding cell signaling pathways.  Monte Carlo computer simulations that incorporate realistic 3-D geometries can be used to explore the subcellular architecture and physiology of cells and synapses.