Physics of Structure Formation in Living Systems

One of the most remarkable examples of self-organized structure formation is the development of a
complex organism from a single fertilized egg. With the identification of many molecules that
participate in this process, attention has now turned to capturing the physical principles that govern
the emergence of biological form. Living systems are special in the sense that they structure
themselves through processes that convert chemical energy into mechanical work. In this talk I will
provide a brief introduction into 'Active Matter Physics’, and discuss how the surface of a cell can
generate active stresses that can drive its reshaping, or the reshaping of many cells that are
collectively organized into a tissue. I will end with a report of our efforts of combining active matter
theory with experiments in both worms and birds to understand symmetry breaking and pattern
formation in early organismal development of active living systems.