Transfer function approach to understanding periodic forcing of signal transduction networks.

Signal transduction networks are responsible for transferring information from the extracellular to the intracellular environment. This process facilitates biochemical changes in the cell which, in turn, dictates physiological changes such as differentiation and growth. Information can be stored in a variety of physical modes, including signal frequency. Different signal frequencies impart different information onto the cell surface, driving different physiological outcomes via signal transduction networks. Frequency-dependent cell behaviour is well documented in experimental literature. Understanding this frequency dependence allows us to control cells, opening avenues into therapeutics and bridges between theory and experiment. The transfer function provides one approach to understanding this. In this tutorial, we show how to obtain the transfer function of an arbitrary signal transduction network and use it to explain how the network responds to periodic forcing. We discuss advantages and limitations to this method.