Abstract

Genetically identical cells exposed to the same environmental conditions can show significant variation in molecular content and marked differences in phenotypic characteristics. This variability is linked to stochasticity in gene expression, which is generally viewed as having detrimental effects on cellular function with potential implications for disease. However, stochasticity in gene expression can also be advantageous. It can provide the flexibility needed by cells to adapt to fluctuating environments or respond to sudden stresses, and a mechanism by which population heterogeneity can be established during cellular differentiation and development.

Author affiliations

1. Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H8M5, Canada.
2. Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.
3. Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for BioDynamics, Boston University, 44 Cummington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.

Correspondence to: Mads Kærn¹ Email: mkaern@uottawa.ca

Published online 10 May 2005

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