Robust Timekeeping in Circadian Networks: from Genes to Cells

Systems theoretic tools, including mathematical modeling, control theoretic analysis, and feedback design, advance the understanding of the circadian clock: a set of noisy oscillators that communicate to ensure its function as a reliable pacemaker. The clock’s internal time, or phase, is a key performance measure used to investigate dynamics of a single deterministic oscillator for the purpose of generating insight into the behavior of coupled stochastic oscillators. The analysis of a single oscillator identifies appropriate coupling mechanisms for an ensemble of stochastic oscillators. Phase also serves as a critical control objective for a model predictive control algorithm that aims to correct mismatch between the biological clock and its environment.