Cell-to-cell communication: from physical calling to remote emotional touching

The emerging paradigm of cell-to-cell communication represents a transformative shift from device-mediated contact to bio-integrated, emotion-driven interactions. This article introduces a novel, multi-layered framework for enabling biologically integrated communication between cells, devices, and computational systems using the paradigm of Molecular Communication (MC). Moving beyond traditional digital interfaces, the proposed architecture, comprising in-body, on-chip, and external communication layers, models and processes intercellular signaling via molecular emissions, implantable biosensors, and nano-electronic processors. Theoretical foundations are extended to fractional-order diffusion systems and neuromorphic decoding, capturing complex behaviors in realistic biological environments. We further propose a cross-layer molecular digital twin model for context-aware interpretation and feedback. The framework's applications are grounded in the molecular underpinnings of emotion, where neurotransmitters like oxytocin and serotonin mediate prosocial behaviors and affective states through cell-to-cell signaling. For instance, remote emotional interfacing leverages MC to modulate oxytocin release, mimicking natural empathy circuits, while consensual telepathy draws from BCI-mediated neural pattern sharing, extending molecular-level decoding to cognitive-emotional relays. These are not mere metaphors but extensions of established neurochemical pathways, as evidenced by recent studies showing serotonin fluctuations amplify context-specific emotions. This work thus bridges cellular mechanisms to higher-order phenomena, ensuring scientific rigor in bio-digital systems .