# Understanding Mechanisms of Robust Information Processing by NF-kappaB

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2021 · $355,290

## Abstract

Understanding Mechanisms of Robust Information Processing by NF-κB
A major open question in biology is how do cells operate robustly despite ever-present biological noise?
Inputs received by cells are unavoidably noisy due to variable translation and secretion of signaling factors,
propagation in tissues and stochastic fluctuations in molecular concentrations. Yet, somehow cells are able
to accurately process these noisy inputs and create appropriate responses regularly. This proposal aims to
answer this fundamental question by studying the effect of noise on gene regulation by the well-known and
medically important innate immune signaling pathway NF-B. Attempts at understanding dynamic gene
regulation by NF-B and the molecular mechanisms that deal with noise have generally been hampered by
significant cell-to-cell variability (requiring single cell analyses), and technical limitations in studying live
cells under dynamical signals. Here, we will combine our experience in NF-B signaling, established
microfluidic cell culture techniques and mathematical modeling to study this most interesting problem in
single cells. Our lab is uniquely positioned to explore and answer this new field, as we have spent the last
10 years constructing and improving the experimental and mathematical methods to study the effect of
noise in cellular decision making. Answering this question will have a profound impact on both our basic
understanding of cellular decision-making processes, as well as implications in preventing and treating
diseases like infection, autoimmunity and cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10120701
- **Project number:** 5R01GM128042-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Savas Tay
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $355,290
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10120701

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10120701, Understanding Mechanisms of Robust Information Processing by NF-kappaB (5R01GM128042-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10120701. Licensed CC0.

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