Robust network clocks: design of genetic oscillators as a complex combinatorial optimization problem.

(Received 28 February 2011; revised manuscript received 24 April 2011; published 3 June 2011)Complex combinatorial optimization can be used to design network systems having desired dynamics andthat are robust against structural perturbations. Here genetic networks exhibiting limit-cycle oscillations withprescribed periods and, furthermore, that are robust against the deletion of links and nodes or the application ofnoise are constructed. Large ensembles of robust genetic clocks with different periods could thus be obtained,and some of their statistical properties have been investigated. Similar methods can be used to design robustnetwork oscillators of various origins.DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.83.060901 PACS number(s): 87