Before revision: Dynamical quorum sensing is one of the simplest group behaviours in cell populations, where collective oscillations emerge via mutual signaling beyond a critical cell density. Although many examples are documented, no unifying principle has yet been proposed. Here, by considering the response of cells to the extracellular signal and vice versa, we develop a quantitative theory for the phenomenon, and present a necessary condition for collective oscillations in a communicating population.
After revision: Collective oscillation of cells in a population has been reported under diverse biological contexts and with vastly different molecular constructs. Could there be common principles similar to those that govern spontaneous oscillation in mechanical or electrical systems? Here, we answer this question in the affirmative by categorising the response of cells to the extracellular signal and vice versa, we develop a quantitative theory for the phenomenon, and present a necessary condition for collective oscillations in a communicating population.