The phrase "are key in understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of certain elements or factors in comprehending a particular topic or concept.
Example: "The historical context and cultural influences are key in understanding the significance of the artwork."
Alternatives: "are essential for grasping" or "play a crucial role in comprehending".
The effects of stratification on intrusion depth are key in understanding the evolution of the suspended mass, deposition profiles and energy budgets of turbidity currents.
And we surely have not seen a discussion of how the continued cultural privileging of traditional straight-male masculinity and the devaluing of all other genders are key in understanding how and why the same groups of kids get targeted for bullying decade after decade.
The rate and fitness effects of mutations are key in understanding the evolution of every species.
Though simplified, the TASEP-based models have been used for obtaining such steady state information as the average occupancy of each codon on the mRNA, the mRNA translation rate, which are key in understanding mRNA translation.
Both IL-1β and IFN-γ are cytokines that are key for the early response of the immune system, and as such are key in understanding how cells are directed.
"The international community's response to this incident will be key in understanding where we are headed on this issue".
The turnout and mood of the crowd on Sunday will be key in understanding whether or not Yanukovych can survive until the 2015 elections.
Her background in development and production have been key in understanding the creative dynamic in achieving authentic integration experiences for the audience, the client and the narrative.
Predicting asphaltene precipitation and its deposition in the porous media is key in understanding costly productivity impairment caused by formation damage.
The Gelfand-Mazur theorem, see Chapter VI in [21], Theorem 1.3, is key in understanding structural aspects of algebras and thus the study of Problem 1.3.
Understanding these HCV host interactions is key in understanding how to target HCV during infection and for the design of more effective HCV therapies at the immunological level.
