Extension of dynamics of granular flow methodology to cell biology

In a previous paper (J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 76 (1998) 5), the analogy between the methodology typical of the dynamics of polymeric liquids and those used in granular flow theory was investigated. It was shown that such a methodology could be successfully extended to granular flow, and then it was speculated on the possibility of extending it to diverse areas. In this paper two important conclusions are reached. Firstly we show that the methodology behind the statistical theories (which starting from the microstructural element eventually leads to the formulation of constitutive equations (AICHE Symposium Series, Vol. 93, 1997, p. 103)) can be extended to an apparently completely different field, namely cell biology. We then show that classical thermodynamics, as applied to epigenetic systems, presents limitations which can be overcome following an axiomatic thermodynamic route (J. Rheol. 37 (1993) 727). © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.