About this Research Topic
In biological literature, ‘coupling’ is a common descriptor for a presumed mechanistic link between correlated quantities. The exact nature of such links is often left undefined or unknown, while the term is used in a wide variety of contexts. In single-cell biology, coupling can involve a physical contact between molecular components and/or ligand. At the tissue and organismal level, coupling is often less direct and can involve a series of underlying processes. Mathematical modeling can provide a platform to classify the strength, directionality, and polarity of coupling while being neutral to exact biological details. Efforts to define coupling in different biological contexts will make it more than just a useful placeholder concept.
We re-examine definitions of ‘coupling’ in diverse fields of biology, with an eventual goal of classifying them under the language of mathematical modeling. We aim to cover almost every level of biology where the term coupling is used—from molecular interactions within a single cell up to cell-to-cell interactions as they occur, for example, during somitogenesis. We explore coupling at higher levels, such as endocrinological interactions among tissues, in vocal production, communication or the process of making music. Finally, we examine inter-community coupling as found in ecological networks. By surveying different contexts of coupling and interpreting them in mathematical terms, we hope to standardize the usage of the term coupling. For theorists, this will help understand the variety of biological context where the term coupling is used. For experimentalists, this will clarify proper usage of coupling in various instances. This collection will define and refine boundaries of research on coupled biological systems such that experimental findings can easily transform into mathematical models, and vice-versa.
We would like authors to focus on the following sub-topics:
• Survey of instances where coupling occurs in various biological contexts;
• Intracellular coupling in molecular biology;
• Inter-cellular coupling in somitogenesis, chronobiology and neuroscience;
• Inter-tissue coupling in endocrinology;
• Inter-individual and inter-community coupling in ecological interactions;
• Coupling in voice interactions and vocalization;
• Mathematical properties underlying coupling;
• The beneficial emergent properties of coupled systems under evolutionary selection;
• Why it makes sense to couple systems: Robustness and emergent properties organized by coupling.
We would like to acknowledge Dr. Anna Marie Finger has acted as coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.
We re-examine definitions of ‘coupling’ in diverse fields of biology, with an eventual goal of classifying them under the language of mathematical modeling. We aim to cover almost every level of biology where the term coupling is used—from molecular interactions within a single cell up to cell-to-cell interactions as they occur, for example, during somitogenesis. We explore coupling at higher levels, such as endocrinological interactions among tissues, in vocal production, communication or the process of making music. Finally, we examine inter-community coupling as found in ecological networks. By surveying different contexts of coupling and interpreting them in mathematical terms, we hope to standardize the usage of the term coupling. For theorists, this will help understand the variety of biological context where the term coupling is used. For experimentalists, this will clarify proper usage of coupling in various instances. This collection will define and refine boundaries of research on coupled biological systems such that experimental findings can easily transform into mathematical models, and vice-versa.
We would like authors to focus on the following sub-topics:
• Survey of instances where coupling occurs in various biological contexts;
• Intracellular coupling in molecular biology;
• Inter-cellular coupling in somitogenesis, chronobiology and neuroscience;
• Inter-tissue coupling in endocrinology;
• Inter-individual and inter-community coupling in ecological interactions;
• Coupling in voice interactions and vocalization;
• Mathematical properties underlying coupling;
• The beneficial emergent properties of coupled systems under evolutionary selection;
• Why it makes sense to couple systems: Robustness and emergent properties organized by coupling.
We would like to acknowledge Dr. Anna Marie Finger has acted as coordinator and has contributed to the preparation of the proposal for this Research Topic.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
