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arXiv · 2401.15538

Ambitions for theory in the physics of life

William Bialek
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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

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William Bialek. 2024-01-28. Ambitions for theory in the physics of life. https://doi.org/10.21468/scipostphyslectnotes.84

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