Hoffmann Georg, Ostermeir Rasso, Müller Holger, Bitterlich Norman, Martus Peter, Neumaier Michael
Institute for Molecular Oncology, Martinsried, Germany.
Clin Lab. 2008;54(1-2):19-24.
We developed a public Internet program called SimChip (www.simchip.de). It performs virtual "in silico experiments", which reflect the in vivo situation of gene expression. Our computer model simulates up- and downregulation of genes on the basis of differential equations for linear synthesis and non-linear decay of mRNA. Steady-state concentrations are described as ratios of the respective rate constants: c = S/D. Using physiological synthesis rates of 0 to 50 mRNA molecules per min per cell and decay rates of 0.05 to 25% per min, SimChip helps to understand the right-skewed distribution patterns of gene expression levels and calculates the experimental endpoint of the theoretically infinite time needed to achieve perfect equilibrium.
