A first-order theory $T$ is a model-complete core theory if every first-order
formula is equivalent modulo $T$ to an existential positive formula; a core
companion of a theory $T$ is a model-complete core theory $S$ such that every
model of $T$ maps homomorphically to a model of $S$ and vice-versa. Whilst
core companions may not exist in general, if they exist, they are unique.
Moreover, $\omega$-categorical theories always have a core companion, which is
also $\omega$-categorical.
In the first part of this talk, we show that many model-theoretic properties,
such as stability, NIP, simplicity, and NSOP, are preserved when moving to the
core companion of a complete theory.
In the second part of this talk, we study the notion of core interpretability,
which arises by taking the core companions of structures interpretable in a
given structure. We show that there are structures which are core
interpretable but not interpretable in $(\mathbb{N};=)$ or $(\mathbb{Q};<)$.
We conjecture that the class of structures which are core interpretable in
$(\mathbb{N};=)$ equals the class of $\omega$-stable first-order reducts of
finitely homogeneous relational structures, which was studied by Lachlan in
the 80's. We present some partial results in this direction, including the
answer a question of Walsberg.
This is joint work with Manuel Bodirsky and Bertalan Bodor.