For SwordS to generate an antigen density-dependent, triple HCC therapeutic response pattern, design of the gene transcription network (GTN) plays a central role in our project. Traditional method to analyze a GTN is using the Hill Equation to describe the relation between each pair of transcription factor and its receptor. However, we found it incomprehensible to apply the Hill Equation while studying specific biochemical reactions in cell like TF-Receptor binding process.
The Hill Equation concerns all about concentrations of substances in a system, and is itself founded on the theory of chemical equilibrium. However, biochemical reactions in a single cell cannot directly influence the reactions in another cell. Meanwhile, the receptors we are interested in usually exit in a small amount in a single cell. Specially, we are often concerned about a single gene site in the nucleus. Thus, there will be neither chemical equilibrium nor the concept of concentration. Thus, the Hill Equation appears to be fundamentally flawed in such situations. Furthermore, the Hill Equation is incapable of studying the behaviours of a half-bound complex, which we believe will be rather important in future researches. Since its parameters are substantially statistical, it cannot provide enough accuracy and flexibility either, especially in field like disease treatment where extreme fine tuning is critical.
...To create a more rigorous method to analyze gene transcription
networks, and more basically, biochemical reactions in cell, we take a probabilistic
perspective towards the issue...
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