Minicourse on Fundamentals of Biological Physics

Biological systems operate across multiple scales — from molecular signaling inside cells to population-level dynamics in ecosystems. Despite their complexity, many of these processes can be described and understood using concepts and tools from physics. In recent years, the interface between physics and biology has emerged as a vibrant research frontier, combining ideas from statistical mechanics, soft matter, information theory, and dynamical systems to tackle problems in cell biology, ecology, and collective behavior.

This minicourse will introduce key theoretical and computational approaches that have proven successful in modeling and analyzing biological systems. Topics will include diffusion and stochastic processes, phase separation in biological media, cellular signaling, active matter, and ecological interactions. The lectures will be complemented by hands-on sessions where students will work through problems and simulations under the guidance of the lecturers.

The minicourse is aimed at advanced undergraduate and early graduate students in physics or in biology with a strong quantitative background, but other interested students are also welcome to apply. No prior expertise in biological modeling is required.

There is no registration fee and limited funds are available for local expenses.

Click HERE for online application

Application deadline: October 1, 2025

Lecturers & courses:

• Silvina Ponce Dawson (UBA): Cell signaling
• Pablo de Castro (ICTP-SAIFR): Diffusion, Phase Separation & Active Matter
• Rafael Menezes (ICTP-SAIFR): Theoretical Ecology

Click HERE for online application

Application deadline: October 1, 2025

TBA

 The schedule might be changed.

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 will be required to obtain a tourist e-visa for visits after April 10, 2025. Please check here which nationals need a tourist visa to enter Brazil.

Accommodation: Participants whose accommodations are provided by ICTP-SAIFR will stay at Hotel Intercity the Universe Paulista. Other hotel recommendations are available here.

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.