Flexibility and sensitivity in gene regulation out of equilibrium.

Growing theoretical and experimental evidence demonstrates that cells can (and do) spend biochemical energy while regulating their genes. Here we explore the impact of departing from equilibrium in simple regulatory cycles, and learn that beyond increasing sensitivity, dissipation can unlock more flexible input-output behaviors that are otherwise forbidden without spending energy. These more complex behaviors could enable cells to perform more sophisticated functions using simpler systems than those needed at equilibrium.