title: Models in biology: lessons from modeling regulation of the eukaryotic cell cycle.
abstract: In this essay we illustrate some general principles of mathematical modeling in biology by our experiences in studying the molecular regulatory network underlying eukaryotic cell division. We discuss how and why the models moved from simple, parsimonious cartoons to more complex, detailed mechanisms with many kinetic parameters. We describe how the mature models made surprising and informative predictions about the control system that were later confirmed experimentally. Along the way, we comment on the 'parameter estimation problem' and conclude with an appeal for a greater role for mathematical models in molecular cell biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tyson
authors.affiliation: Oxford Centre for Integrative Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK. bela.novak@bioch.ox.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Béla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Novák
mesh_terms: D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology*; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology