Synchronization properties of multi-oscillator circadian systems

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Computational Biology

Circadian oscillators are usually regarded as time-keeping mechanisms that can synchronize to environmental cycles (zeitgebers) and coordinate the timing of virtually all aspects of organismal function. Circadian pacemakers would be the main time-keepers that synchronize to light/dark cycles and convey temporal information to peripheral oscillators. However, the idea of circadian systems as being simple clocks is challenged by the coexistence, within the same organism, of multiple circadian oscillators with diverse synchronization strategies.(...)

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)