The synchronization of stochastic oscillators

We examine microscopic mechanisms for coupling stochastic oscillators so that they display similar and correlated temporal variations. Unlike oscillatory motion in deterministic dynamical systems, complete synchronization of stochastic oscillators does not occur, but appropriately defined oscillator phase variables coincide. This is illustrated in model chemical systems and genetic networks that produce oscillations in the dynamical variables, and we show that suitable coupling of different networks can result in their phase synchronization.