Stochastic Cell

Accumulating experimental evidence of stochasticity, self‐organization and abrupt non‐linear transitions underlying the dynamics of cellular structure and function is increasingly more consistent with the concepts and models of phase transitions, critical phenomena and non‐linear thermodynamics rather than with the conventional clockwork description of the cell. The novel emerging image of the stochastic cell suggests that familiar and convenient classico‐mechanical interpretations may be limiting our ability to understand the behavior of biological systems and calls for active exploration of alternative interpretational frameworks. IUBMB Life, 57: 59‐63, 2005