Ambitions for theory in the physics of life
arXiv:2401.15538 · doi:10.21468/SciPostPhysLectNotes.84
Abstract
Theoretical physicists have been fascinated by the phenomena of life for more than a century. As we engage with more realistic descriptions of living systems, however, things get complicated. After reviewing different reactions to this complexity, I explore the optimization of information flow as a potentially general theoretical principle. The primary example is a genetic network guiding development of the fly embryo, but each idea also is illustrated by examples from neural systems. In each case, optimization makes detailed, largely parameter-free predictions that connect quantitatively with experiment
arXiv commentLectures at the 2023 Les Houches Summer School, Theoretical Biophysics. Revisions include some replacement figures with permissions, small clarifications in the text
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