Alonosphere March 2023

Gene regulation, cells’ beating heart,
Predictive models, yet far apart,
Thermodynamics once paved the way,
For bacterial systems, their say,
Eukaryotic realm, a new chart.

Energy flows within the dance,
Equilibrium’s grip, we enhance,
Simple kinetic models explore,
Transmitting information, they implore,
Cellular decisions, a kinetic glance.

Energy input, gains profound,
Genes transmit faster, they astound,
Low interference, a powerful force,
Pushing sensitivity, a resource,
High interference, specificity’s rebound.

Equilibrium falters, interference’s crest,
Energy dissipation stands the test,
In large systems, its place is clear,
Noncognate interference, it does steer,
Cellular intricacies, a story to invest.

In mammalian societies, they find,
Dominance hierarchy’s structure aligned.
Pheromones hold sway,
In wild mice at play,
Social roles, complex and intertwined.

Behavioral phenotyping takes the lead,
Revealing insights of mice’s breed.
Male-typical, female-typical traits,
Rankings and personalities, their mates.

VNO-mediated signals at core,
Genetic disabling, effects galore.
Males interact more, friendships ignite,
Females’ interactions, take a slight.

Personality traits in mice now blurred,
Blending genders, interactions incurred.
Despite hierarchies firm and profound,
Rank-associated traits can’t be found.

Sex-specific neural circuits, we perceive,
Nature’s design, how roles they achieve.
Unraveling mysteries, an ongoing quest,
Sexual dimorphism stands the test.

In the realm of mice’s dynamic show,
Pheromones and behaviors let us know,
Understanding the social ties that bind,
In nature’s dance, they all unwind.