Nonlinear science — The impact of biology

Nonlinear science has primarily developed from applications of mathematics to physics. The biological sciences are emerging as the dominant growth points of science and technology, and biological systems are characterised by being information dense, spatially extended, organised in interacting hierarchies, and rich in diversity. These characteristics, linked with an increase in available computing power and accessible memory, may lead to a nonlinear science of complicated interacting systems that will link different types of mathematical object within a framework of many-sorted algebras. Examples, drawn from current work on intracellular, cellular, tissue, organ and integrative physiology of an individual, are outlined within the theory of synchronous concurrent algorithms. Possible directions in population dynamics and applications to ecosystem management are outlined.