Abstract
Humanity’s ability to interrogate and manipulate living systems is rapidly growing. Yet, science is far from completely understanding how cells, tissues, and organisms function. In the 1950s, the question of how genetic information is encoded inspired a generation of scientists across disciplines, culminating in the discovery of the DNA double helix. Similar cross-disciplinary efforts are needed to understand biology at all scales, from molecules to ecosystems. As discoveries in physics a century ago came together with engineering to produce an array of astonishing technologies that completely reshaped our world, in the 21st century, basic discoveries in biology will come together with physics, mathematics, engineering and many other disciplines to create an almost inconceivable array of new technologies, some of which are already entering our lives. Therefore, one could consider the 21st century as the Century of Biology, in which the major technological and social innovations will be centred on converting living systems with technology. The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) would like to invite the young scientist community of the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureates meeting to a breakfast meeting listen to examples of research at the interfaces of physics and biology, to learn about the challenges of interdisciplinary research, and to identify opportunities for future prospects of their own research through HFSP support.
