Complex Temporal Biology: Towards a Unified Multi-Scale Approach to Predict the Flow of Information

Abstract

Synopsis Two hallmarks of biological processes are complexity and time. While complexity can have many meanings, in this paper we propose an explicit link to the flow of time and how it is experienced by the organism. While the flow of time is rooted in constraints of fundamental physics, understanding the operation of biological systems in terms of processual flow and tempo is more elusive. Fortunately, the convergence of new computational and methodological perspectives will provide a means to transform complicated, nonlinear paths between related phenomena at different time scales into dynamic four-dimensional perspectives. According to the complex temporal biology approach, information flow between time scales of multiple lengths is a transformational process that acts to regulate life's complexity. Interactions between temporal intervals of differing magnitude and otherwise loosely-related mechanisms can be understood as inter-timescale information flow. We further propose that informational flow between time scales is the glue that binds the multiple vertical layers of biocomplexity, as well as yielding surprising outcomes ranging from complex behaviors to the persistence of lineages. Building a foundation of rules based on common interactions between orders of time and common experiential contexts would help to reintegrate biology. Emerging methodologies such as state-of-the-art imaging, visualization techniques, and computational data analysis can help us uncover these interactions. In conclusion, we propose educational and community-level changes that would better enable our vision.