The Goodwin Oscillator and its Legacy

In the 1960’s Brian Goodwin published a couple of mathematical models showing how feedback inhibition can lead to oscillations and discussed possible implications of this behaviour for the physiology of the cell. He also presented key ideas about the rich dynamics that may result from the coupling between such biochemical oscillators. Goodwin’s work motivated a series of theoretical investigations aiming at identifying minimal mechanisms to generate limit cycle oscillations and deciphering design principles of biological oscillators. The three-variable Goodwin model (adapted by Griffith) can be seen as a core model for a large class of biological systems, ranging from ultradian to circadian clocks. We summarize here main ideas and results brought by Goodwin and review a couple of modeling works directly or indirectly inspired by Goodwin’s findings.