Tyson, John J.Novak, Bela2016-12-092016-12-092015-07-011741-7007http://hdl.handle.net/10919/73621In this essay we illustrate some general principles of mathematical modeling in biology by our experiences in studying the molecular regulatory network underlying eukaryotic cell division. We discuss how and why the models moved from simple, parsimonious cartoons to more complex, detailed mechanisms with many kinetic parameters. We describe how the mature models made surprising and informative predictions about the control system that were later confirmed experimentally. Along the way, we comment on the ‘parameter estimation problem’ and conclude with an appeal for a greater role for mathematical models in molecular cell biology.10 pagesapplication/pdfenCreative Commons Attribution 4.0 InternationalBiologyLife Sciences & Biomedicine - Other TopicsMathematical modelsMitosis-promoting factorCell cycle checkpointsRegulated kinasesRegulated phosphatasesRegulated proteolysisMATURATION-PROMOTING FACTORXENOPUS-OOCYTE EXTRACTSSYSTEMS-LEVEL FEEDBACKPROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2AM-PHASE CONTROLEGG EXTRACTSFISSION YEASTGREATWALL KINASEMOLECULAR-MODELDIVISION CYCLEArticle - RefereedThe Author(s)https://doi.org/10.1186/s12915-015-0158-913