Undergraduate (3rd and 4th years)
This is information from a past (2023) course.
The URLs, account and classroom informations have been removed to prevent the leakage of internal information for online classes.
Last updated at Oct 17, 2025.
Class plans and classrooms are subject to change, so be sure to check UTAS for the latest information.
If you do not have access to the UTAS, please contact your instructor or academic affairs office.
Last updated at Oct 17, 2025.
Class plans and classrooms are subject to change, so be sure to check UTAS for the latest information.
If you do not have access to the UTAS, please contact your instructor or academic affairs office.
Universal Biology
普遍性生物学
生物システムが従う普遍的な性質に関する理論研究と実験研究を学ぶ
Universai Biology
We will study theoretical and experimental research on universal properties of biological systems.
生命システムが満たすべき普遍構造を理論物理学の立場から議論する。分子、細胞、個体、生態系という異なる階層間での発展ダイナミクスクの整合性を指導原理として、複製、適応、発生、進化の普遍法則を追及する。人工細胞の複製、細胞の適応、多細胞生物の発生過程、人工的進化などの構成的実験をふまえつつ、複製系の統計法則、生命情報の起源、相互触媒制御による適応、発生現象の安定性、細胞分化の不可逆性、ゆらぎと進化の関係、遺伝子型―表現型対応の安定性の理論を述べ、生命システムを理解するための物理理論の方向性を議論したい。質問や議論を通じた積極的な講義への参加を期待する。
Through this course, we discuss universal features in biological systems with the aid of concepts in theoretical physics. Based on the consistency principle between different hierarchal layers including molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystems, we study the dynamic behavior of complex biological systems. The topics include universal laws in replicating cell systems, an origin of biological information, environmental adaptation by complex reaction network, developmental robustness, irreversibility in stem cell differentiation, a relationship between phenotypic fluctuation and evolution. Active participation in the lecture through questions and discussion is expected.
Through this course, we discuss universal features in biological systems with the aid of concepts in theoretical physics. Based on the consistency principle between different hierarchal layers including molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystems, we study the dynamic behavior of complex biological systems. The topics include universal laws in replicating cell systems, an origin of biological information, environmental adaptation by complex reaction network, developmental robustness, irreversibility in stem cell differentiation, a relationship between phenotypic fluctuation and evolution. Active participation in the lecture through questions and discussion is expected.
Code
Course title
Lecturer
Semester
Period
0515088
FSC-PH4E30L1
Universal Biology
FURUSAWA Chikara
Fri 3rd
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Language
Japanese, English
Credit
2
Lecturers with practical experience
NO
Other Faculty
YES
Course Offered by
Science
Schedule
1. 導入：生命システムが持つべき普遍的性質
2. 定常成長系の普遍法則：成長のマクロ法則、増殖休止状態の現象論
3. 細胞の適応：揺らぐ成長系の帰結、ノイズによる環境依存アトラクター選択
4. 発生過程の安定性：細胞分化の力学系モデル、形態形成
5. 進化(I)：進化揺動応答関係、ノイズによる分散と遺伝分散の関係
6. 進化(II)：進化的拘束の出現、進化実験による検証
7. 生態系：多種共存のメカニズム、共生
8. まとめと展望： 生物普遍性の現象論へ
1. Introduction: Universal properties of biological systems
2. Universal properties in steady growing systems: growth laws, phenomenological theory of dormant state
3. Adaptation: attractor selection dynamics for environmental adaptation
4. Robustness of development: dynamical system model of cell differentiation, morphogenesis
5. Evolution (I): fluctuation-response relationship in evolution, genetic variance and fluctuation
6. Evolution (II): emergence of evolutionary constraint, experimental evolution studies
7. Ecosystem: mechanisms for coexistence, symbiosis
8. Summary and perspectives: toward phenomenological theories for universal biology
Teaching Methods
講義形式/Lecture
Method of Evaluation
レポート/Reports
Required Textbook
なし
Reference Books
生命とは何かー複雑系生命科学へ(東大出版会）
普遍生物学: 物理に宿る生命、生命の紡ぐ物理（東大出版会）
Life: An Introduction to Complex Systems Biology (Springer)
細胞の理論生物学: ダイナミクスの視点から（東大出版会）
Notes on Taking the Course
生命現象への興味は期待するが生物学の知識は必要としない。通常の物理以外では力学系を用いるが、高度な知識は必要としない。
Interest in biological phenomena is expected but knowledge of biology is not required. Outside of normal physics, dynamical systems will be used, but advanced knowledge is not require
