This paper gives an overview of recent results concerning the modular derivation of (i) modal specification logics, (ii) notions of simulation together with logical characterisations, and (iii) sound and complete axiomatisations, for systems modelled as coalgebras of functors on Set. Our approach applies directly to an inductivelydefined class of coalgebraic types, which subsumes several types of discrete statebased systems, including (probabilistic) transition systems, probabilistic automata and spatial transition systems. Key words: Coalgebra, modularity, simulation, modal logic, expressiveness, soundness, completeness.