Biological implications of dynamical phases in non-equilibrium networks

TL;DR

This review explores how dynamical phases in non-equilibrium biological networks explain common functions and trade-offs, offering insights into the design principles of biological Maxwell Demons.

Contribution

It introduces a dynamical phases perspective to unify understanding of biological error correction and sensitivity mechanisms, highlighting phase coexistence effects.

Findings

Dynamical phases characterize typical trajectories in non-equilibrium systems.

Coexistence of dynamical phases impacts free energy efficiency.

Dynamical phases offer an intuitive framework for biological Maxwell Demons.

Abstract

Biology achieves novel functions like error correction, ultra-sensitivity and accurate concentration measurement at the expense of free energy through Maxwell Demon-like mechanisms. The design principles and free energy trade-offs have been studied for a variety of such mechanisms. In this review, we emphasize a perspective based on dynamical phases that can explain commonalities shared by these mechanisms. Dynamical phases are defined by typical trajectories executed by non-equilibrium systems in the space of internal states. We find that coexistence of dynamical phases can have dramatic consequences for function vs free energy cost trade-offs. Dynamical phases can also provide an intuitive picture of the design principles behind such biological Maxwell Demons.