The Core & Periphery Hypothesis: A Conceptual Basis for Generality in Cell and Developmental Biology

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Gallo, Elisa, De Renzis, Stefano, Sharpe, James, Mayor, Roberto, Hartmann, Jonas
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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author Gallo, Elisa
De Renzis, Stefano
Sharpe, James
Mayor, Roberto
Hartmann, Jonas
author_facet Gallo, Elisa
De Renzis, Stefano
Sharpe, James
Mayor, Roberto
Hartmann, Jonas
contents The discovery of general principles underlying the complexity and diversity of cellular and developmental systems is a central and long-standing aim of biology. Whilst new technologies collect data at an ever-accelerating rate, there is growing concern that conceptual progress is not keeping pace. We contend that this is due to a paucity of appropriate conceptual frameworks to serve as a basis for general theories of mesoscale biological phenomena. In exploring this issue, we have developed a foundation for one such framework, termed the Core and Periphery (C&P) hypothesis, which reveals hidden generality across the diverse and complex behaviors exhibited by cells and tissues. Here, we present the C&P concept, provide examples of its applicability across multiple scales, argue its consistency with evolution, and discuss key implications and open questions. We propose that the C&P hypothesis could unlock new avenues of conceptual progress in cell and developmental biology.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2306_09534
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The Core & Periphery Hypothesis: A Conceptual Basis for Generality in Cell and Developmental Biology
Gallo, Elisa
De Renzis, Stefano
Sharpe, James
Mayor, Roberto
Hartmann, Jonas
Cell Behavior
Populations and Evolution
Subcellular Processes
The discovery of general principles underlying the complexity and diversity of cellular and developmental systems is a central and long-standing aim of biology. Whilst new technologies collect data at an ever-accelerating rate, there is growing concern that conceptual progress is not keeping pace. We contend that this is due to a paucity of appropriate conceptual frameworks to serve as a basis for general theories of mesoscale biological phenomena. In exploring this issue, we have developed a foundation for one such framework, termed the Core and Periphery (C&P) hypothesis, which reveals hidden generality across the diverse and complex behaviors exhibited by cells and tissues. Here, we present the C&P concept, provide examples of its applicability across multiple scales, argue its consistency with evolution, and discuss key implications and open questions. We propose that the C&P hypothesis could unlock new avenues of conceptual progress in cell and developmental biology.
title The Core & Periphery Hypothesis: A Conceptual Basis for Generality in Cell and Developmental Biology
topic Cell Behavior
Populations and Evolution
Subcellular Processes
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2306.09534