Universitat de València
DecoracióXano
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Theoretical biology

 

Introduction


The interplay between experiment and theory moves science forward. The Theoretical Biology Research Group searches for metaphors that help in grasping the complex relationships among the numerous players of the natural world. We try to understand the complexity of natural phenomena using a scientific approach that favors light doses of philosophy and a strong sense of humor.

Our  interests span from the strictly biological -development  and evolution and their mutual interaction with special emphasis on the origin of multicellularity and body axes  of metazoans- to the inner thoughts of the chess playing  mind or the peculiar questioning eye of the artist. We embrace them all: the biologist, the chess player, and the artist, taking their views of the world as valid inquiries on the multiplicity of patterns and processes of the evolution of life on Earth.

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Methods

  • We use Theory, as a fundamental part of our research agenda integrating data, ideas, and formalisms, where speculations and imagination have a place of their own
  • We seek Exploration, by looking at experimental data with mathematical and statistical tools
  • We search Patterns, both static and dynamic using varied mathematical modeling techniques
  • We merge Information, across the different biological scales, from molecules to behavior
  • We cross Disciplines, because we believe that reality will show in full focus only when all points of view are taken into account

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Keywords


• EVOLUTION • DEVELOPMENT • COMPLEXITY • MODULARITY • FORM • FUNCTION • STRUCTURE • BAUPLAN • ARCHETYPE • ORGANIZATION (SELF-) • SYSTEMS • MODELING • COMPUTATION • SIMULATION • PATTERN RECOGNITION • MORPHOSPACE • MORPHOMETRICS • CELLULAR AUTOMATA • NETWORKS • COGNITIVE PROCESSES • CHESS • ART •

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Recent Publications


Articles

  • Weninger WJ, Geyer SH, Mohun TJ, Rasskin-Gutman D, Matsui T, Ribeiro I, Costa LD, Izpisua-Belmonte JC, Muller GB. 2006 High-resolution episcopic microscopy: a rapid technique for high detailed 3D analysis of gene activity in the context of tissue architecture and morphology. Anatomy and Embryology (Berl). 2006 Jan 21;1-9 [Epub ahead of print]
  • Rasskin-Gutman D*, Buceta J*, Ibanes M*, Okada Y, Hirokawa N, Izpisua-Belmonte JC. 2005 Nodal cilia dynamics and the specification of the left/right axis in early vertebrate embryo development. Biophysical Journal. 89(4):2199-209 (equally contributing authors).
  • Rasskin-Gutman, D. 2005 Modularity: Jumping Forms inside Morphospace. In: Callebaut W, Rasskin-Gutman D (eds.) Modularity: Understanding the development and evolution of Complex Natural Systems. MIT Press pp 207-220.
  • Costa L da F, Travençolo BAN, Azeredo A, Beletti ME, Rasskin-Gutman D, Sternik G, Izpisua-Belmonte JC, Ibañes M, Müller GB. 2005. A novel field approach to 3D gene expression pattern characterization. Applied Physics Letters 86: 143901-143903.
  • Rasskin-Gutman D, Izpisua-Belmonte JC. 2004 Theoretical morphology of developmental asymmetries. BioEssays. 26(4):405-12.
  • Raya A, Kawakami Y, Rodriguez-Esteban C, Ibanes M, Rasskin-Gutman D, Rodriguez-Leon J, Buscher D, Feijo JA, Izpisua Belmonte JC. Notch activity acts as a sensor for extracellular calcium during vertebrate left-right determination. Nature. 427(6970):121-8.
  • Rasskin-Gutman D. 2003 Organized mayhem in Bilateria Baupläne: Symmetry and animal complexity. Coloquios de Paleontología, Vol. Ext. 1:559-567.
  • Rasskin-Gutman D, Izpisúa Belmonte JC. 2003 Embryos at the core of life. Development 130(23):5566-5568. (Book review)
  • Rasskin-Gutman D. 2003 Boundary Constraints for the Emergence of Form. In G. Müller and S. Newman (eds.) Origination of Organismal Form. MIT Press. pp 305-322.
  • Rasskin-Gutman D, Buscalioni AD. 2001 Theoretical Morphology of the Archosaur (Reptilia: Diapsida) Pelvic Girdle. Paleobiology 27(1) pp 59-78.
  • Chapman RE, Rasskin-Gutman D. 2001 Quantifying Morphology. In: D. Briggs & P. Crowther (eds.): Palaeobiology II. Blackwell Science. pp 489-492.


Books and popular science

  • Rasskin Gutman D 2005 Metáforas de Ajedrez. La mente humana y la inteligencia artificial. Foreword by Jorge Wagensberg. Editorial La casa del ajedrez.
  • Callebaut W, Rasskin-Gutman D (eds.) 2005 Modularity. Understanding the Development and Evolution of Natural Complex Systems. Foreword by Herbert Simon. MIT Press.
  • Izpisúa Belmonte JC, Rasskin Gutman D, Raya A. 2002 Los secretos de la vida. El País. July-September 2002 (Sunday edition).

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Team


Position Name Telephone E-mail
Ramón y Cajal researcher Diego Rasskin Gutman 963544463 diego.rasskinuv.es

 

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More information:            [Last update: 22/06/06]