Npj biological timing and sleepJul 20, 2026

Theoretical study of body clock timing: helpful insight or potential problem?

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Jul 21, 2026

Abstract

Circadian rhythms depend on interactions across multiple scales and external time cues.

Oscillator theory has been useful in understanding synchronization and entrainment of circadian rhythms.
The abstractions within oscillator models may obscure important biological differences between systems.
Insights from this perspective could inform both experimental and theoretical approaches in studying biological oscillators.
Principles discussed are relevant not only to circadian rhythms but also to other biological oscillators operating over different timescales.

Simplified

From noisy single cells to coupled tissues, circadian rhythms depend on interactions across multiple scales and on external time cues. Oscillator theory has played a central role in making sense of these dynamics, particularly in explaining synchronization and entrainment. Yet the same abstractions that make oscillator models powerful can also mask biologically relevant differences between systems. In this perspective, we outline where oscillator theory has been most informative, where it can mislead, and what this means for future experimental and theoretical work. While we focus here on circadian rhythms, related principles extend to other biological oscillators across timescales.

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Funding

Competing interests

Competing interests: M.D.O. is Associate Editor of Nature Communications. Marta del Olmo was not involved in the journal’s review of, or decisions related to, this manuscript. The rest of the authors declare no competing financial or non-financial interests.

PubMed

Theoretical study of body clock timing: helpful insight or potential problem?

Abstract

Full Text

Funding

Competing interests

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