Investigating Modular Structure and Function in Biology: from Immunology to Cognition

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dc.contributor.advisorKolomeisky, Anatoly B
dc.creatorBonomo, Melia E.
dc.date.accessioned2020-12-04T16:53:48Z
dc.date.available2021-12-01T06:01:11Z
dc.date.created2020-12
dc.date.issued2020-12-04
dc.date.submittedDecember 2020
dc.date.updated2020-12-04T16:53:48Z
dc.description.abstractModularity is the grouping of the components of a complex system into distinct units. Modular structure is pervasive in biology and has been especially studied in biological networks, including metabolic circuits, protein-protein interaction networks, ecological food webs, and human brain networks. However, beyond simply quantifying the organization of these different systems, modularity plays an important role in optimizing their functional capabilities. It affords a system greater evolvability, efficiency, and robustness to perturbation; however, depending on the function being carried out, lower modularity is sometimes more advantageous, as it does not constrain the system to a particular configuration. The interactions between system complexity, modularity, flexibility of module composition, task demand, and performance provide a versatile theoretical framework that can tackle a diverse set of problems. Under this generalized theoretical model, I have studied a broad range of biological systems: the CRISPR-Cas immune mechanism in bacteria, the human immune response to influenza, and the human brain both at rest and during task performance. This work has applications to increasing precision in genetic editing, improving flu vaccine selection and development, understanding music processing in the brain, and quantifying the cognitive health benefits of a therapeutic arts intervention.
dc.embargo.terms2021-12-01
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationBonomo, Melia E.. "Investigating Modular Structure and Function in Biology: from Immunology to Cognition." (2020) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/109615">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/109615</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/109615
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectmodularity
dc.subjectflexibility
dc.subjectcomplex systems
dc.subjectCRISPR-Cas
dc.subjectimmune system
dc.subjectinfluenza virus
dc.subjectvaccine effectiveness
dc.subjecthuman brain
dc.subjectfunctional connectivity network
dc.subjectmusic processing
dc.titleInvestigating Modular Structure and Function in Biology: from Immunology to Cognition
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentApplied Physics
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophy
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