A worked diffusion-driven instability
Research context
postgraduate concept · established · As of 2026-10-10
In Lecuit’s nondimensional two-cell example, the isolated reaction Jacobian has eigenvalues −1, whereas an antisymmetric spatial mode can become unstable after unequal diffusive coupling.
Key knowledge
In Lecuit’s nondimensional two-cell example, the isolated reaction Jacobian has eigenvalues −1, whereas an antisymmetric spatial mode can become unstable after unequal diffusive coupling. Thus diffusion may destabilize a spatial mode even when each isolated cell is linearly stable.
Values and equations
J = [[5,-6],[6,-7]]; A_antisym = J - 2*diag(D_x,D_y)
- J
- isolated reaction Jacobian in scaled variables/time 1
- A_antisym
- Jacobian of the antisymmetric two-cell perturbation mode 1
- D_x
- scaled intercellular exchange coefficient for X 1
- D_y
- scaled intercellular exchange coefficient for Y 1
Conditions and scope
- This linear toy calculation concerns onset near the homogeneous state, not bounded nonlinear pattern amplitude or an identified organismal morphogen mechanism.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Instabilities: chemical instabilities and Turing patterns: Two-cell/two-species linear example and diffusion-dependent eigenvalues (indexed authored lecture equations; PDF retrieval failed)
2026-10-10 · Bounded author source inspection of a worked diffusion-driven instability, including the stated conditions; independent branch review is recorded separately.
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- res-bio-turing-two-cell
- Revision
- research.1
- Structured reference record
- Postgraduate & research reference