Biology, at all scales from molecular to cellular to populations, provides quintessential examples of complex adaptive systems. This meeting brings together experimentalists, theorists and philosophers to discuss the physical principles underlying the emergence of complexity in biological systems, and how it is shaped by cooperative dynamical behaviour and selective pressures.

Cellular communities is one of our three focus themes, and in this

Organizers : Madan Rao, Mukund Thattai, Sandeep Krishna, Shachi Gosavi and Shashi Thutupalli
Venue: NCBS, Bangalore

Transcription in bacteria is regulated by a variety of players, from chromosome structure to transcription factors, nucleoid associated proteins and small RNAs. This meeting brings together internationally recognized scientists who employ a wide range of methods to understand gene expression and more broadly, adaption in bacteria.

NCBS is delighted to announce, in partnership with the Simons Foundation, the creation of the Simons Centre for the Study of Living Machines. The new Centre will build bridges between theory and experiment, support post-doctoral fellowships, and host long-term visitors. Please join us as we celebrate this milestone.

Venue: Dasheri Auditorium, NCBS

4:30pm: Opening remarks by Satyajit Mayor, Director, NCBS

4:35pm: Remarks by Mustansir Barma, Director, TIFR (via video)

4:40pm: Remarks by Spenta Wadia, Director, ICTS

A major aim of the Simons Centre is to catalyse interactions between biologists and theoretical computer scientists. This meeting brought researchers from Microsoft  Research to the NCBS campus, to explore areas of common interest.

Visitors:

Nikhil  Srivastava : Theoretical computer science, linear algebra, random matrices, and convex geometry.

The life sciences increasingly depend on quantitative measurements, multi-scale models, and large datasets. The Monsoon School on the Physics of Life will

(i) Expose undergraduate students from mathematics, physical sciences and engineering backgrounds to exciting problems in biology through research talks by biologists and physicists. Topics include: the structure and function of biomolecules; the organization of cells; the development of organisms from embryos to adults; the structure and function of the brain; populations and ecosystems; and aspects of evolution.

This program, held between April 30 and May 1, 2014, aimed to kick-start collaborations between two research gr