  We review the construction and evolution of mathematical models of the
Arabidopsis circadian clock, structuring the discussion into two distinct
historical phases of modeling strategies: extension and reduction. The
extension phase explores the bottom-up assembly of regulatory networks
introducing as many components and interactions as possible in order to capture
the oscillatory nature of the clock. The reduction phase deals with functional
decomposition, distilling complex models to their essential dynamical
repertoire. Current challenges in this field, including the integration of
spatial considerations and environmental influences like light and temperature,
are also discussed. The review emphasizes the ongoing need for models that
balance molecular detail with practical simplicity.
