SciPost Submission Page
Ambitions for theory in the physics of life
by William Bialek
This Submission thread is now published as
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | William Bialek |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2401.15538v2 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | 2024-06-25 |
| Date submitted: | 2024-04-11 16:12 |
| Submitted by: | Bialek, William |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics Lecture Notes |
| for consideration in Collection: |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approach: | Theoretical |
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
Published as SciPost Phys. Lect. Notes 84 (2024)
Reports on this Submission
Report #3 by Anonymous (Referee 1) on 2024-6-11 (Invited Report)
- Cite as: Anonymous, Report on arXiv:2401.15538v2, delivered 2024-06-11, doi: 10.21468/SciPost.Report.9229
Strengths
1. Very thorough review of the work done in the past 15 years on precision in fly development and 30 years in vision, as illustrations of progress made at the intersection of physics and biology.
2. Deep mathematical details that will allow students to understand the full derivations.
3. Broad view that allows the reader to grasp many different model systems at once under a unifying framework.
4. Very pedagogical and engaging.
Weaknesses
The paper has no apparent weakness.
Report
I recommend publication without changes.
Recommendation
Publish (surpasses expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 10%)
Report #2 by Anonymous (Referee 2) on 2024-4-11 (Invited Report)
- Cite as: Anonymous, Report on arXiv:2401.15538v2, delivered 2024-04-11, doi: 10.21468/SciPost.Report.8867
Strengths
These notes succeed in building a tool set and a base of intuition about
what optimization principles to look for in biology and where. They
lucidly guide the reader on how to apply such principles in practice;
tightly weaving together pedagogical problems and examples from
cutting-edge research. Entry points to a broad corpus of literature are
provided throughout.
Report
Acceptance criteria are met.
Recommendation
Publish (surpasses expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 10%)
Strengths
A very interesting set of notes written for physics and biology students based on lectures presented at the Les Houches summer school.
Report
Yes
Recommendation
Publish (surpasses expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 10%)