哺乳动物生物钟的数学建模及研究进展

由于数学模型在整合实验数据和分析基因调控网络的动力学方面的独特优势,近年来数学模型在生物节律研究领域越来越受到人们的重视.哺乳动物昼夜节律是由位于视觉交叉上颌的神经元控制的,其中的每个神经元都含有一个内在的生物钟,关键的问题是具有广泛周期分布的神经元振子之间如何达到相同步.在分子水平上结合数学方法中的网络分析与控制的观点构建生物网络,然后用非线性动力学的相关知识进行理论分析和数值模拟,是研究生命现象的一个有效途径.本文从系统生物学的研究思路,对生物钟的数学建模及其动力学研究做了一个综述,并对其今后的研究热点进行了展望.

Advances and mathematic modeling of mammalian circadian clock

Because of the unique advantages of mathematical model in experimental data integration and dynamical analysis of gene regulatory network, the application of mathematical model in the research of circadian rhythm has been paid more and more attention for the past few years. In mammals, circadian rhythms are controlled by the neurons located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus （SCN） of the hypothalamus. Each neuron in the SCN contains an autonomous molecular clock. The fundamental question is how the individual cellular oscillators, expressing a wide range of periods, interact and assemble to achieve phase synchronization. It is an effective way to study the phenomenon of life at the molecular level. With the help of mathematical methods of network analysis and cybernetics, biological networks can be constructed and then theoretical study and numerical simulation can be given by dint of knowledge of nonlinear dynamics. In this paper, the advances of mathematical modeling and dynamical analysis in mammalian circadian clocks are given from a systems biology view. At last, prospects for studying circadian rhythm are brought forward.