The 'Quantitative Approaches to Life' (AQV) research group (GDR), coordinated by Fabien Montel, a researcher at the Physics Laboratory of ENS de Lyon (LPENSL), was officially launched on September 29, 2026. This new structure aims to strengthen the links between scientific communities working at the interface of biology and physics.
The creation of the AQV GDR stems from the observation that a deep understanding of life requires a quantitative approach, including modeling and the application of physical and chemical laws. This interdisciplinary approach not only allows for the import of tools and concepts but also enables the tackling of fundamental biological questions through methods combining both disciplines.
Advancements from this group are also expected to stimulate the development of new physical concepts, particularly in areas such as active matter, non-equilibrium physics, noise robustness, learning in complex systems, and the dynamics of high-dimensional systems.
To explore key biological questions, the AQV GDR mobilizes a wide range of expertise, including biology, theoretical and experimental physics, engineering, and chemistry.
