Spatial Organization of Biological Functions

A living organism relies on the interactions of molecular constituents within itself and with its surroundings to function properly. Recent studies have shown that the dynamic spatial organization of different molecular components within a cell, different cells within a tissue, and different organisms within a community, play critical roles in enabling the full functionality of the organism. Furthermore, differential spatial organizations may imply a new level of functional regulation that complements the classic mechanism by molecular interactions. Understanding why and how biological functions are spatially organized requires a concerted effort from scientists of diverse backgrounds.