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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
06:31
Reconstitution of Cell-cycle Oscillations in Microemulsions of Cell-free Xenopus Egg Extracts
Published on: September 27, 2018
Self-sustained collective oscillation generated in an array of nonoscillatory cells
1Spatio-Temporal Order Project, ICORP, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Tokyo 102-0075, Japan. dr.mayue@gmail.com
Summary
Biological oscillations can arise from coupled, non-oscillatory cells. A spatially inhomogeneous active factor drives wave propagation and synchronization, inducing collective oscillations without internal cell clocks.
Area of Science:
- Systems Biology
- Biophysics
- Cellular Dynamics
Background:
- Biological oscillations are common, typically explained by transcriptional feedback loops in "clock" proteins.
- Collective oscillations in tissues usually result from synchronized, intrinsically oscillating cells.
- Existing models often rely on pacemaker cells or external periodic stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and analyze a novel mechanism for collective oscillation in non-oscillatory cells.
- To investigate oscillation induction without intrinsic cellular oscillators or external forcing.
- To explore the role of intracellular communication and wave propagation in synchronization.
Main Methods:
- Development of a theoretical model incorporating a spatially inhomogeneous active factor.
- Analysis of intracellular communication dynamics and wave propagation phenomena.
- Simulation and mathematical analysis of coupled non-oscillatory cell systems.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of coupling-induced oscillations in a system of non-oscillatory cells.
- Identification of wave propagation driven by a spatially inhomogeneous active factor as a key mechanism.
- Observation of synchronization leading to collective rhythmic behavior.
Conclusions:
- Collective oscillations can emerge in biological tissues from coupled, non-oscillatory cells.
- Spatially inhomogeneous active factors and intracellular communication can drive synchronized wave propagation.
- This provides an alternative model for biological rhythm generation distinct from conventional feedback loops.
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