What is PoLS?
Physics of Living Systems
The Physics of Living Systems (PoLS) is an NSF-funded program which approaches biological questions through a physical framework, probing the fundamental physical properties which are exploited by living systems at every scale and in any environment. Living systems are dynamic and complex, and four billion years of evolution have optimized them to exploit the physical landscape on many levels to accomplish the goals of life. PoLS is an interdisciplinary community that combines physics, biology, and mechanical engineering through theory, experiment, and computation to explore the ways in which physics has shaped life.
The purpose of the PoLS network is to connect researchers studying the physics of life. Ten PoLS nodes nodes span the continental United States, while the international PoLS network serves to connect scientists across the Atlantic. An annual iPoLS conference, held most recently in Trieste, Italy, alternates between Europe and the United States.
PoLS at GA Tech
The Georgia Tech PoLS node represents the diverse research interests of ten faculty members drawn from the Schools of Physics, Biology, Psychology, and Mechanical Engineering. A weekly Lunch & Learn seminar, held every Thursday in the Howey Physics building, allows the GT PoLS community to share their results on topics ranging from DNA polymer physics to the properties of elephant trunks, representing theory, experiment, simulation, and bio-inspired robotics. PoLS also provides funding for students to share their results at conferences around the country and across the Atlantic.
Where to Find Us
GT PoLS is based out of the Howey Physics building at 837 State St NW in Midtown Atlanta. Our weekly Lunch & Learn meetings are held in room N201, every Thursday at 12:00 during the Spring and Fall semesters.