Effect of stochasticity on the dynamics of a lac operon model with multiple delays

Abstract We have investigated the stability of a mathematical model of the lac operon with multiple time delays, enhanced with stochastic perturbations. Sufficient conditions for exponential mean square stability have been used to determine analytical threshold values. Numerical exploration of the bistability with respect to lactose concentration and noise has been performed. The effect of noise, represented by a stochastic perturbation, was investigated with respect to lactose production in the lac operon system. We have demonstrated that noise can induce changes in the bistable region, including transitions/switching between states owing to the lactose concentration. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Data driven modelling for living systems’.