Transcriptional interpretation of Shh morphogen signaling: computational modeling validates empirically established models

Mathematical models help explain experimental data. Response to ‘Transcriptional interpretation of Shh morphogen signaling: computational modeling validates empirically established models’

“…While not a point of distinction between the conclusions of Cohen et al and the earlier studies, Uhde and Ericson (2016) raise concerns about our discussion of hysteresis. The term 'hysteresis' was originally coined to describe the behaviour of magnetic materials and is widely used in dynamical systems theory to indicate that the output of a system depends not only on its current input, but also on past inputs.…”

“…The empirical observations we use to construct the model are based on the studies of , , among many other studies, and we cite these papers accordingly. These observations are the basis for the model not, as Uhde and Ericson (2016) seem to suggest, the 'conclusions' of the model. In our view, the analytical framework in helps to rigorously establish the relationships between different pieces of empirical evidence and formulates a mechanistic, predictive model of gene regulation.…”

“…We do not think readers could fail to notice our references to these papers or easily miss our use of their work to support the model. Moreover, as Uhde and Ericson (2016) point out, we also reviewed and cited their work extensively in a separate publication .…”

“…(3) As Uhde and Ericson (2016) indicate, our model describes a 'neutral point'. However, our definition of the neutral point appears to differ conceptually from their interpretation.…”