Frequency gradients in heterogeneous oscillatory media can spatially localize self-organized wave sources that coordinate system-wide activity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that frequency gradients in heterogeneous oscillatory media can create localized wave sources, enabling system-wide coordination without pacemakers, with implications for biological rhythms like uterine labor.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism where spatial frequency gradients induce localized wave sources, explaining coordinated activity in biological systems lacking pacemakers.

Findings

Frequency gradients lead to localized wave sources.

Heterogeneous coupling explains uterine rhythmic activity.

System-wide coordination occurs without centralized pacemakers.

Abstract

Rhythmogenesis, which is critical for many biological functions, involves a transition to coherent activity through cell-cell communication. In the absence of centralized coordination by specialized cells (pacemakers), competing oscillating clusters impede this global synchrony. We show that spatial symmetry-breaking through a frequency gradient results in the emergence of localized wave sources driving system-wide activity. Such gradients, arising through heterogeneous inter-cellular coupling, may explain directed rhythmic activity during labor in the uterus despite the absence of pacemakers.