Natural genetic systems display interesting behaviors such as
oscillations (circadian clocks) and bistability (development), but
quantitative studies of these systems is rendered difficult by their
complexity and our lack of complete knowledge of system topology and
parameters. To circumvent this difficulty, we are developing simple
model systems that display interesting behaviors, constructed from
well known transcriptional regulators. In these simple systems, the
topology is known at the outset and all parameters are known to some
degree. We will discuss a system showing bistability (a toggle
switch) and a genetic oscillator (clock). The modeling,
construction, characterization and ongoing development of the model
systems will be discussed. We hope to use these simple model systems
to elucidate important system design principles associated with
bistability and oscillatory behavior.
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