Kontaktinducerad

Kontaktinducerad is a Swedish term meaning literally "caused by contact" or "contact-induced." In science it is used to describe processes and phenomena that are initiated, enhanced, or modulated by direct physical contact between entities, such as cells, materials, or organisms. The precise meaning depends on discipline, but the common element is that contact, rather than distant signals, is the triggering factor.

In developmental biology and cell biology, a well-known instance is contact-dependent signaling, exemplified by Notch signaling, which requires membrane-bound ligands on adjacent cells. This form of signaling can influence cell fate, differentiation, or patterning.

In materials science and tribology, contact-induced processes include chemical reactions or phase transformations at sliding interfaces, often driven by pressure, heat, and chemical reactivity at asperity contacts.

In neuroscience and psychology, researchers may discuss tactile or social contact as inducing neural or behavioral responses, especially in studies of sensory processing or social behavior, recognizing that direct contact can elicit rapid responses compared with distant cues.

Because the term is general, "kontaktinducerad" is primarily used in Swedish-language texts. In English, it is often rendered as "contact-induced" and paired with a field-specific qualifier (contact-induced signaling, contact-induced reactions, etc.). See also: Notch signaling; tribochemistry; contact-dependent signaling.