Figure 6. New dynamical solutions emerging from network of intracellular networks differentiate cellular identities.

Schematic representation of paradigmatic gene regulatory networks that communicate among cells by small signaling molecules (SM). The network in isolated cells can exhibit only one dynamical solution: oscillations. Intercellular communication among identical cells generates novel dynamical solutions. The bifurcation diagram identifies the coupling strength for which different dynamical solutions can be observed. Solid lines denote stable and dashed/dotted lines unstable dynamical solutions. The corresponding time series of a homogeneous steady‐state (HSS), inhomogeneous steady‐state (IHSS), limit cycle (LC), and inhomogeneous limit cycle (IHLC) solutions are also depicted. The IHSS (also IHLC) is generated when the symmetry of the system is broken due to the intercellular communication (particular coupling strength). In this way, heterogeneity in a homogeneous cellular population is established and maintained: One of the cells exhibits high (dark orange line), whereas the other one exhibits low concentration (black line) of the protein A.