The neglected functions of intrinsically disordered proteins and the origin of life.

The example of gelatine shows that extended proteins behave quite differently than globular ones: with water they form a gel. Historically the colloid view of protoplasm was discredited in favour of membrane-(pump)-theory (MPT), but unjustified. In his association-induction hypothesis Ling demonstrates that MPT is full of contradictions and that the colloid view has to be re-considered.

A new list of functions of the cytoskeleton.

In classic cell physiology some major properties of life are ignored (coherent behaviour) or not fully integrated (colloid properties), resulting in a limited list of functions of the cytoskeleton. As part of a new paradigm for cell physiology a new list is presented with numerous extra functions, for which experimental evidence has so far accumulated.

Linking physiological mechanisms of coherent cellular behaviour with more general physical approaches towards the coherence of life.

Schrödinger pointed out that one of the most fundamental properties of life is its coherent behaviour. This property has been approached from a physiological point of view by Ling in his 'association-induction hypothesis' and extended by Pollack (gel-sol theory), by Chaplin and by Kaivarainen (detailed studies of cellular water). The question of coherence has also been attacked from general physics in three independent approaches: from non-linear thermodynamics (Fröhlich), from quantum field theory (Del Giudice and his group) and from quantum mechanics (Davydov).