April 2015 PMID 25750229

Forging patterns and making waves from biology to geology: a commentary on Turing (1952) 'The chemical basis of morphogenesis'.

Philip Ball

Mentions

34
Peak: 18 in Jul 2020
across 3 sources since Jun 2019

Extended reach

531,943
potential audience

Total likes

8,754

Video views

326,465

Mentions per month

Jun 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter29 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a strong interest in Turing’s work on pattern formation, with posts emphasizing how natural patterns such as zebra stripes and sand dunes are explained through his models, using approachable language like 'nature had this figured out.' The tone indicates admiration for the scientific insight and evolutionary significance, though some comments are casual or add historical context, contributing to an overall appreciation of the article's importance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize Turing's significance, especially in connecting his mathematical models to natural patterns, indicating general agreement on its importance.

InterestHigh interest

Many posts show high interest, referencing the connection of Turing's work to diverse natural phenomena like zebra stripes and sand dunes, fueling curiosity.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts demonstrate moderate engagement with mentions of specific concepts like reaction-diffusion processes and appreciation for the interdisciplinary impact.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight Turing’s foundational influence on understanding biological and natural patterns, suggesting a modest but meaningful perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Alan Turing's 1952 paper explores how patterns naturally form in various systems through reaction and diffusion processes, even though he wasn't a biologist or chemist.
  • His mathematical model explains how random fluctuations can lead to the development of complex structures from initially uniform conditions, helping to understand phenomena like embryo development and natural patterns.
  • These pattern formation principles are versatile and appear across many fields, including biology, geology, and even criminology, with new examples still being discovered today, showcasing long-lasting scientific impact.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
SciShow
@SciShow · X

There are patterns in nature that appear over and over again, even in phenomena that clearly have nothing to do with each other — like zebra stripes and sand dunes! https://t.co/Z3NjDKAPlo https://t.co/e1vPMFTQum

Jul 8, 2020 · 23 likes · 5 shares · 112,475 followers View post →
ScienceClic
@ScienceClic · X

Une vidéo super intéressante ! Regardez jusqu'à la fin pour les simulations, c'est assez bluffant https://t.co/HEDWwtWx1q

Apr 18, 2020 · 15 likes · 1 share · 33,037 followers View post →
Mathophile
@MathoPhile_ · X

Quelques minutes pour le magnifique travail d'Alan Turing sur la modélisation mathématique de la morphogenèse. #turing #maths #mathophile #vulgarisation #ReactionDiffusion https://t.co/HKwkdqnsHS

Apr 18, 2020 · 11 likes · 1 share · 18 followers View post →
Stefan Janusz ndajz@mastodon.me.uk -@bsky.social
@ndajz · X

@bletchleypark @bernarddonoghue He also made huge contributions to our understanding of biological form – amazing to think how far he could have advanced this field if he had lived. See @philipcball's 2015 commentary on Turing's 1952 paper, the Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis, here: https://t.co/aTlaSLxwkm

Jun 7, 2019 · 3 likes · 994 followers View post →
Daniel Zanou
@EdohAyao · X

Forging patterns and making waves from biology to geology: a commentary on Turing (1952) ‘The chemical basis of morphogenesis’ | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences https://t.co/AS7oZ1WfjA

Sep 2, 2025 · 3 likes · 555 followers View post →
James Gaines
@the_jmgaines · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/9yS7E7G62w via @YouTube

Jul 8, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,179 followers View post →

All mentions

Daniel Zanou
@EdohAyao · X

Forging patterns and making waves from biology to geology: a commentary on Turing (1952) ‘The chemical basis of morphogenesis’ | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences https://t.co/AS7oZ1WfjA

Sep 2, 2025 · 3 likes · 555 followers View post →
0xLoric
@0xLoric · X

We invoke Alan Turing often regarding AI but how many know his work and story? Incredible thinking. https://t.co/4m2JwS7dES

Aug 5, 2023 · 57 followers View post →
Ardhi, fossil enjoyer
@ardhitatib · X

@yududada @Pak_Irv Kemungkinan masih karena genetik atau kimia plus faktor lain. 1) https://t.co/pU6FhZoIfS 2) https://t.co/KztOMYzY9l 3) https://t.co/TlWEaj7zMA 4) https://t.co/qqA0dq6Blj 5) https://t.co/GeM2EaSvJx

Jul 20, 2023 · 495 followers View post →
@Optical_Illuso
@Optical_Illus0 · X

@youssefalbanay https://t.co/xAVJ1QgROP اعتقد هذا سبب التشابه

Feb 24, 2021 · 2 likes · 13 followers View post →
Jim Rose
@JimRosenz · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/BGGB7ckmZ9 https://t.co/x92NAQ4V5S

Sep 9, 2020 · 1,479 followers View post →
Elise Larsson
@EliseLarsson · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/mbs5XIpDGH via @YouTube

Aug 14, 2020 · 238 followers View post →
Luca
@SorrisoCattivo · X

https://t.co/sjMYSdHsi7

Jul 14, 2020 · 140 followers View post →
ekokepe
@ekokepe · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/MVnOOEquI6 via @YouTube

Jul 10, 2020 · 361 followers View post →
soygirl.art on the other site
@xxSoyGirlxx · X

@quasimondo whats cool is how these patterns are just a natural inherent consequence of the rules of physics we exist under. Long before cameras, nature had this figured out: https://t.co/bj0ibQBObi

Jul 9, 2020 · 396 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/fFufxUXEHN via @YouTube

Jul 8, 2020 · 3,221 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/3xo9rjfrK8 via @YouTube

Jul 8, 2020 · 2,567 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: There are patterns in nature that appear over and over again, even in phenomena that clearly have nothing to do with each othe…

Jul 8, 2020 · 5 shares · 326 followers View post →
DragonArchive⁷
@Babybeararchive · X

https://t.co/cHAkGiiNn7

Jul 8, 2020 · 1,604 followers View post →
rene de paula jr
@renedepaula · X

@pedrodoria veja isso: conecta Alan Turing a listras em zebras a dunas no deserto passando por rochas hexagonais... https://t.co/68XiICsWKZ

Jul 8, 2020 · 1 like · 7,630 followers View post →
e-csce
@e_csce · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns @ https://t.co/0qRIzg4WYX https://t.co/3mO3vTYMx9

Jul 8, 2020 · 118 followers View post →
Kitty
@kittybravofan · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/2RZCUlh3B3 via @YouTube

Jul 8, 2020 · 720 followers View post →
No Such Thing as a Seagull
@nosuchseagull · X

RT @SciShow: There are patterns in nature that appear over and over again, even in phenomena that clearly have nothing to do with each othe…

Jul 8, 2020 · 5 shares · 546 followers View post →
Andrea J.
@esgaril · X

RT @SciShow: There are patterns in nature that appear over and over again, even in phenomena that clearly have nothing to do with each othe…

Jul 8, 2020 · 5 shares · 125 followers View post →
James Gaines
@the_jmgaines · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/9yS7E7G62w via @YouTube

Jul 8, 2020 · 2 likes · 1,179 followers View post →
Felix
@MrsPsp · X

The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/5ovCgtSD5c via @YouTube

Jul 8, 2020 · 2,460 followers View post →
Johannes Lüke
@JohannesSLueke · X

New video by SciShow: The Link Between Zebra Stripes and Sand Dunes | Natural Patterns https://t.co/cXBEyTc4Sl

Jul 8, 2020 · 84 followers View post →
Xochitl Garcia
@msxgarcia · X

RT @SciShow: There are patterns in nature that appear over and over again, even in phenomena that clearly have nothing to do with each othe…

Jul 8, 2020 · 5 shares · 806 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

There are patterns in nature that appear over and over again, even in phenomena that clearly have nothing to do with each other — like zebra stripes and sand dunes! https://t.co/Z3NjDKAPlo https://t.co/e1vPMFTQum

Jul 8, 2020 · 23 likes · 5 shares · 112,475 followers View post →
Laurent Bauvens
@bauvens · X

RT @ScienceClic: Une vidéo super intéressante ! Regardez jusqu'à la fin pour les simulations, c'est assez bluffant https://t.co/HEDWwtWx1q

Apr 18, 2020 · 1 share · 367 followers View post →
ScienceClic
@ScienceClic · X

RT @MathoPhile_: Quelques minutes pour le magnifique travail d'Alan Turing sur la modélisation mathématique de la morphogenèse. #turing #m…

Apr 18, 2020 · 1 share · 33,037 followers View post →
ScienceClic
@ScienceClic · X

Une vidéo super intéressante ! Regardez jusqu'à la fin pour les simulations, c'est assez bluffant https://t.co/HEDWwtWx1q

Apr 18, 2020 · 15 likes · 1 share · 33,037 followers View post →
Mathophile
@MathoPhile_ · X

Quelques minutes pour le magnifique travail d'Alan Turing sur la modélisation mathématique de la morphogenèse. #turing #maths #mathophile #vulgarisation #ReactionDiffusion https://t.co/HKwkdqnsHS

Apr 18, 2020 · 11 likes · 1 share · 18 followers View post →
Vito RT Zanotelli
@ZanotelliVRT · X

A good chance to also acknowledge his major contribution to a quantitative view of biology! An interesting, casual Sunday read about his work on ‘The chemical basis of morphogenesis’: https://t.co/kbkFK81olZ https://t.co/nna0C6WTB7

Jun 23, 2019 · 2 likes · 343 followers View post →
Stefan Janusz ndajz@mastodon.me.uk -@bsky.social
@ndajz · X

@bletchleypark @bernarddonoghue He also made huge contributions to our understanding of biological form – amazing to think how far he could have advanced this field if he had lived. See @philipcball's 2015 commentary on Turing's 1952 paper, the Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis, here: https://t.co/aTlaSLxwkm

Jun 7, 2019 · 3 likes · 994 followers View post →
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