Qualitative analysis of gene networks

In this paper, we review the qualitative tools developed by our group for the analysis of regulatory networks. Focusing on the dynamical and biological roles of feedback circuits, this method can be applied in the context of both logical and differential formalisms. This approach already led to several interesting results about the relation between the network structure and the corresponding dynamical properties. In particular, it could be shown that at least one positive regulatory circuit is necessary to generate multistationarity (i.e., alternative states of gene expression), whereas at least one negative circuit is necessary to generate a stable oscillatory behavior. Applications to the analysis of complex gene networks, as well as to the synthesis of regulatory models to account for global expression data are discussed.