Abstract

Gene regulatory networks are intensively studied in biology. One of the main aims of these studies is to gain an understanding of how the structure of genetic networks relates to specific functions such as chemotaxis and the circadian clock. Scientists have examined this question by using model organisms such as Drosophila and mathematical models. In the last years, synthetic models—engineered genetic networks—have become more and more important in the exploration of gene regulation. What is the potential of this new approach in the investigation of gene network structures? How do synthetic models relate to model organisms and mathematical models?