Physics of Life (PoL)

Credit: Gijsje Koenderink, Delft University of Technology

Living systems comprise the most complex matter. Seeking a fundamental understanding of the processes that drive living systems pushes the boundaries of experimental and theoretical physics through the development of principles and concepts that balance the complexity of life with a physics-driven abstraction.

The field of Physics of Life (PoL) can be broadly divided into three areas that range from fundamental research into life processes to applied research that is crucial for innovative future healthcare. These three areas are:

  1. The physics of processes that are essential to life.
  2. Physics-based technologies that advance biological research
  3. Physics-driven research focused on health-care, diagnostics and treatments

For more information, see also the NWO research community PoL webpage https://www.nwobiophysics.nl/pol and their vision document https://www.nwo.nl/sites/nwo/files/media-files/Strategiedocumenten_PoL.pdf

Not yet registered for a research community? The NWO Physics Round Table invites researchers to register for membership of one or, at most, two research communities. Registration is possible at any time: https://www.nwo.nl/en/register-for-research-community-for-physics.