Self-Organized Critical Control of Genome Expression: Novel Scenario on Cell-Fate Decision

In our current studies on whole genome expression in several biological processes, we have demonstrated the actual existence of self-organized critical control (SOC) of gene expression at both population and single cell level. SOC allows for cell-fate change by critical transition encompassing the entire genome expression that, in turn, is partitioned into distinct response domains (critical states).\n\nIn this paper, we go more in depth into the elucidation of SOC control of genome expression focusing on the determination of critical point (CP) and associated distinct critical states in single-cell genome expression. This leads us to the proposal of a potential universal model with genome-engine mechanism for cell-fate change. Our findings suggest that the CP is fixed point in terms of temporal expression variance, where the CP (set of critical genes) becomes active (ON) for cell-fate change ( super-critical in genome-state) or else inactive (OFF) state ( sub-critical in genome-state); this may lead to a novel scenario of the cell-fate control through activating or inactivating CP.