Biological Switches And Clocks

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Endocrinology
Article Date: 04 Jun 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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To introduce this Special Issue on Biological Switches and Clocks, we review the historical development of mathematical models of bistability and oscillations in chemical reaction networks.

In the 1960s and 70s, these models were limited to well-studied biochemical examples, such as glycolytic oscillations and cyclic AMP signaling.

After the molecular genetics revolution of the 1980s, the field of molecular cell biology was thrown wide open to mathematical modelers.

We review recent advances in modeling the gene-protein interaction networks that control circadian rhythms, cell cycle progression, signal processing, and the design of synthetic organisms.

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

Journal of the Royal Society Interface is the Society's cross-disciplinary publication promoting research at the interface between the physical and life sciences. It offers rapidity, visibility and high-quality peer review and is ranked fourth in JCR'S multidisciplinary category.

www.publishing.royalsociety.org/interface