Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation

The investigation of highly complex systems has recently been increasingly carried out in physics. These include open systems, which are characterized by energy throughput and entropy production. Particularly fascinating are the structure-forming systems whose general principles are still being sought. Another example is hydrodynamic turbulence, which has long been the focus of research. In most cases, these systems are deterministic and the influence of thermal fluctuations can be neglected. However, this does not apply to living nature. Biological systems have active components (genetic networks, protein networks, molecular motors, neurons), consist of discrete units (i.e. cells) and require the consideration of stochastic processes (thermal noise). In addition, molecular transport and fluid dynamics in cells run on length scales.