Oscillator Network Modeling of Circadian Rhythm in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus

Oscillator network model is presented for the simulation of phase waves observed in a cultured slice of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The coupling matrix is obtained by partial synchronization analysis of the bioluminescence image data, which represent gene expression signals. Numerical simulations show that the coupling matrix itself is not sufficient for the network model to reproduce the phase waves. Our study implies that additional condition such as gradient distribution of the oscillation periods is necessary to reproduce the dynamics of the measurement data.