Coupled Oscillators in Biology

First published: 2018

Brief summary

Review of synchronisation in biological oscillator networks.

Article

The linked review examines biological oscillators using systems biology and synthetic biology. Biological rhythms arise in processes such as calcium signalling, cell division, circadian timing, neuronal activity, stress responses and developmental patterning.

Systems-biology methods combine time-series measurements, perturbation experiments and mathematical models to identify feedback loops and molecular interactions required for oscillation. Period, amplitude, phase and waveform provide measurable properties for comparing models with experiments.

Synthetic biology tests proposed mechanisms by constructing simplified oscillatory gene circuits in living cells or cell-free systems. These engineered networks show how delayed negative feedback, positive feedback and degradation rates can generate or stabilise repeated activity.

The review emphasises that biological oscillators differ in molecular composition but can share common network principles. Quantitative modelling helps determine which components are essential, how oscillations respond to noise and coupling, and how designed circuits may acquire new functions.

Source details and credits

• Source / publisher: PMC
• Source type: Review
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: PMC
• URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5972199/