Light Production and Adaptive Morphodynamics in an Active Biological System

Explore the fascinating world of light in biological systems through this 35-minute conference talk. Delve into recent advancements in single-cell bioluminescence physics and discover a lab-scale model of bioluminescent breaking waves. Examine a unique class of active systems where mechanical forces trigger chemical processes. Investigate how organisms adapt to changing light conditions by morphing their photosynthetic material within the constraints of rigid cell walls. Learn about the sophisticated intracellular rearrangement and logistics strategies employed by cells, and how they utilize metamaterial properties for efficient environmental adaptation. Uncover the simple rules governing morphodynamics through experiments with various physiological light conditions and temporal illumination sequences. Gain insights into how topologically complex metamaterials are applied in critical life-sustaining processes and how simple dynamical rules can explain complex material transport in crowded intracellular environments. This talk, part of the Thematic Programme on "Non-equilibrium Processes in Physics and Biology" at the Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematics and Physics, offers a comprehensive look at light production and adaptive morphodynamics in active biological systems.