Reaction-diffusion waves in biology: new trends, recent developments
Vitaly Volpert, Sergei Petrovskii
Abstract
Reaction-diffusion systems are widely used in the description of propagation phenomena in biological systems, where chemical and biological processes combine to produce spatial and temporal patterns. This paper explores the recent trends and developments in the study of reaction-diffusion waves, highlighting their relevance to diverse biological contexts such as population dynamics, ecology or biomedical applications. Progress in mathematical techniques and computational methods advances our ability to model these systems, providing deeper insights into wave propagation, stability, and bifurcations. We also discuss novel models and their implications for understanding processes such as biological invasions or disease proliferation. Overall, the integration of modern theoretical frameworks with experimental data continues to push the boundaries of this interdisciplinary field, revealing new applications and mechanisms underlying biological wave dynamics. • This paper explores the recent trends and developments in the study of reaction-diffusion waves. • It highlights the relevance of reaction-diffusion waves in population dynamics, ecology or biomedical applications. • We also discuss novel models for understanding biological invasions or disease progression. • We reveal new applications and mechanisms underlying biological wave dynamics.