School on biological physics across scales: phase transitions

Based on the success of the first school on biological physics across scales organized in 2024, this school will explore the role of phase transitions in living systems, from molecules and organelles to organisms and ecosystems. This classic concept from statistical physics is finding new applications in biology, at all scales, that stimulate the development of new theoretical approaches and tools. At the molecular and cellular levels, phase separation drives the formation of biomolecular condensates and chromatin organization, while membrane phase transitions regulate the physical state and function of cellular interfaces, and cytoskeletal networks and tissue dynamics exhibit transitions reminiscent of active matter and jamming phenomena. At larger scales, phase transitions underpin neural activity, collective animal motion, and ecological resilience, highlighting connections between emergent phenomena in biology and critical transitions in physical systems. The study of these biological phenomena, in turn, stimulates the development of new theoretical frameworks, such as the study of non-equilibrium dynamics, highly multicomponent mixtures, network dynamics, stochastic processes, and criticality in active systems. The goal of this school is to bring together experts on these different systems and approaches to engage in an interdisciplinary dialogue with students from all over South America.

Previous editions:

School on Biological Physics across Scales: Pattern Formation

• Ricardo Martinez-Garcia (CASUS / HZDR, Germany and ICTP-SAIFR/IFT-UNESP, Brazil)
• Fernanda Selingardi Matias (Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Brazil)
• Lara Koehler (MPI-PKS Dresden, Germany)
• Luisa Ramirez (Johannes Guttenberg Univ., Germany)
• Pierre Ronceray (Turing Centre for Living Systems, CNRS / Aix-Marseille University, France)

Announcement:

Click HERE for online application

Deadline:October 31, 2025

Lecturers

• Bill Bialek (Princeton University, USA): Scaling, criticality, and the statistical physics of biological networks
• Mauro Copelli (Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil): Brain criticality
• Patricia Bassereau (Institut Curie, France): Domains and biomembranes
• Christoph Weber (Institute of Physics, University of Augsburg, Germany): Active droplets in cell biology and their role in the molecular origin of life
• Juan Carlos Rocha (Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden): Critical transitions in ecosystems: detection and management challenges

Announcement:

Click HERE for online application

Deadline: October 31, 2025

Venue: The event will be held at IFT-UNESP, located at R. Jornalista Aloysio Biondi, 120 – Barra Funda, São Paulo. The easiest way to reach us is by subway or bus, See arrival instructions here.

Accommodation: Participants whose accommodation will be provided by the institute will stay at Hotel Intercity the Universe Paulista. Hotel recommendations are available here.

Attention! Some participants in ICTP-SAIFR activities have received email from fake travel agencies asking for credit card information. All communication with participants will be made by ICTP-SAIFR staff using an e-mail “@ictp-saifr.org”. We will not send any mailings about accommodation that require a credit card number or any sort of deposit. Also, if you are staying at Hotel Intercity the Universe Paulista, please confirm with the Uber/Taxi driver that the hotel is located at Rua Pamplona 83 in Bela Vista (and not in Jardim Etelvina).

BOARDING PASS: All participants, whose travel has been provided or will be reimbursed by ICTP-SAIFR, should bring the boarding pass  upon registration. The return boarding pass (PDF, if online check-in, scan or picture, if physical) should be sent to secretary@ictp-saifr.org by e-mail.

Visa information: Nationals from several countries in Latin America and Europe are exempt from tourist visa. Nationals from Australia, Canada and USA are required to apply for a tourist visa.

Poster presentation: Participants who are presenting a poster MUST BRING A PRINTED BANNER . The banner size should be at most 1 m (width) x 1,5 m (length). We do not accept A4 or A3 paper.

Power outlets: The standard power outlet in Brazil is type N (two round pins + grounding pin). Some European devices are compatible with the Brazilian power outlets. US devices will require an adapter.