Influence of time delay on the memory in a gene regulatory circuit

Abstract

Biological memory is a ubiquitous phenomenon, which could be found in a variety of biological subsystems. Based on a model of dual feedback gene regulatory circuit, in this paper we investigate the influence of time delay on memory time. The results show that the memory time is enhanced dramatically due to the existence of time delay, and the memory time increases linearly with increase of time delay. This enhancement pattern is completely different from that induced by noise. The raising of biological memory by time delay and noise can be controlled and reinforced mutually without affecting the reinforcement mode of opposite side.