BIFI TALK: Miguel Brun-Usan de la Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Miguel Brun-Usan de la Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
Title: From Genes to Organisms: Modeling Biological Complexity Across Scales
Abstract: From gene regulatory networks and individual cells to tissues, organisms, and ecosystems, biological systems are remarkably complex. Much of this complexity emerges through bottom-up processes, that is, through interactions between individual components at lower levels of organization that give rise to collective (self-)organization. At the same time, global constraints and emergent structures at larger scales shape the behavior of individual components in a top-down manner. Understanding this dynamic, bidirectional interplay across biological scales remains a fascinating and challenging problem.
In this talk, I will present an illustrated tour of mathematical and computational approaches to investigating these multilevel causal cascades, drawing on concepts and tools from network theory, learning theory, dynamical systems theory, and topological data analysis. The examples will be drawn primarily from problems I have worked on and am currently exploring, with particular emphasis on embryonic development (arguably an epitome of complex systems), where the spatiotemporal coupling between gene regulatory network dynamics and morphogenesis drives the emergence of complex phenotypes, which in turn provide the substrate for open-ended evolution.
Finally, I will discuss the limitations of current modeling approaches, highlight open questions, and explore potential directions for future research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Salón de actos Edificio I+D
