Title: Use of Elicitor Sets to Characterize Cellular Signal Transduction Networks Abstract

Intracellular signaling cascades can no longer be viewed as linear pathways that relay and amplify information. Often, components of different pathways interact, resulting in signaling networks. The interactions of different pathways and the dynamic modulation of the activities of the components within signaling pathways can create a multitude of biological outputs. The cell appears to use these pathways as a way of integrating multiple inputs to shape a uniquely defined output. These outputs allow the cell to respond to and adapt to an ever-changing environment. Understanding how biological systems receive, process and respond to complex data inputs has important implications for the design and utilization of sensors for a variety of applications, including toxicology, pharmacology, medical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring. This study uses the elicitor sets method, which is an experimental framework designed to monitor information flows through signal transduction pathways. The elicitor set approach has been used to derive mechanistic interpretations from the action of Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride (PMSF), a serine protease inhibitor and nerve agent analog. The elicito