Stochastic turing patterns on a network

The process of stochastic Turing instability on a scale-free network is discussed for a specific case study: the stochastic Brusselator model. The system is shown to spontaneously differentiate into activator-rich and activator-poor nodes outside the region of parameters classically deputed to the deterministic Turing instability. This phenomenon, as revealed by direct stochastic simulations, is explained analytically and eventually traced back to the finite-size corrections stemming from the inherent graininess of the scrutinized medium. © 2012 American Physical Society.