Recent advances in computational modeling as a conduit to understand the plant circadian clock

Abstract

The circadian clock is necessary for plants to anticipate environmental changes. This leads to a coordination of plant development and growth and thus to increased fitness. Many clock components were identified by genetic and biochemical approaches, and studies on these components revealed a core oscillator with multiple feedback loops. A suite of computation analyses is uncovering the outputs of this oscillating network. Mathematical analysis is contributing to our understanding of the network under clock control, moving toward an explanation of how the clock integrates and coordinates various developmental programs with daily environmental cues. From there, these systems approaches will look to establish further nodes within the clock network. © 2010 Faculty of 1000 Ltd.