title: Synchrony and entrainment properties of robust circadian oscillators.
abstract: Systems theoretic tools (i.e. mathematical modelling, control, and feedback design) advance the understanding of robust performance in complex biological networks. We highlight phase entrainment as a key performance measure used to investigate dynamics of a single deterministic circadian oscillator for the purpose of generating insight into the behaviour of a population of (synchronized) oscillators. More specifically, the analysis of phase characteristics may facilitate the identification of appropriate coupling mechanisms for the ensemble of noisy (stochastic) circadian clocks. Phase also serves as a critical control objective to correct mismatch between the biological clock and its environment. Thus, we introduce methods of investigating synchrony and entrainment in both stochastic and deterministic frameworks, and as a property of a single oscillator or population of coupled oscillators.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9560, USA.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bagheri
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meeker
authors.forename: Linda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Petzold
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013269:Stochastic Processes