Biological Oscillators Across Cellular, Temporal, and Spatial Scales

Oscillatory dynamics span biological scales from single cells to tissues and whole organisms, with cell-autonomous or coupled, synchronous or asynchronous, and stable, excitable or adaptive behaviour. While the molecular mechanisms of many oscillators are increasingly understood, the general principles governing their emergence, robustness and functional diversity remain incompletely defined. Building on live-cell imaging, quantitative perturbations, advanced image analysis and human pluripotent stem cell models, and on mathematical work on how noise, coupling and cell-cell communication shape oscillations, this workshop integrates experimental and theoretical perspectives across chronobiology, evolutionary biology and mathematical biology. Participants will examine how oscillatory signals are generated, interpreted and used to regulate cell fate decisions and coordinate collective behaviour, evaluate current models and identify open challenges. Participation is by registration and acceptance through NITMB's workshop form. Participants based more than 50 miles from NITMB register by 8 January 2027; NITMB covers their travel, lodging, breakfast and lunch. Local participants (within 50 miles) register by 19 February 2027.