Small Numbers of Big Molecules

Is the regulation of gene expression in a cell a random (stochastic) process? In an ambitious Perspective, [Fedoroff and Fontana][1] explore a new study [ (Elowitz et al .) ][2] that provides experimental evidence for stochasticity in bacterial gene expression. They reflect on the importance of stochastic processes for the evolution and adaptation of organisms. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/297/5584/1129 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/297/5584/1183