Talk:Tokyo/Model

From 2007.igem.org

E.coli Follows Pareto's principle!

To follow Pareto’s principle like an ant society, our model system must satisfy the three conditions shown in Fig. 1 to 4. In our model, all individual cells have the same genetic circuits but take either of state A (worker) or B (idler) depending on the surrounding circumstances. They change their states as if they DIFFERENTIATE so that the ratio of the two cell states is well balanced. ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto_principle What is Pareto's principle? (Wikipedia)])

As shown in Fig. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the condition of the system is changing as follows:

Bistable state ⇒ The removal of A (worker) ⇒ Unstable state with only B left ⇒ Balanced Redifferentiation of B (idlers)

Fig. 1 Condition 1. Bistable state at balanced ratio of two types
The system is stable when it contains both A (worker) and B (idler) "balanced" at certain ratio.

Fig. 2 Condition 2. Removal of A
Now that A (worker) is removed, there is only B (idler) left.

Fig. 3 Condition 3. Unstable B
While after the removal of A (worker), B becomes unstable and dedifferentiates.

Fig. 4 Condition 4. Balanced Redifferentiation
Some B (idler) redifferentiate into A (worker) while the others remain B (idler). Then the system becomes stable again with the balanced ratio of A and B.