Erwin Frey
@physicsoflifelmu.bsky.social
Theoretical physicist interested in the physics of living systems and statistical physics. Professor at LMU Munich. Passionate about emergent phenomena and interdisciplinary research.
https://www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/lsfrey/
https://www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/lsfrey/
Pinned
Erwin Frey
@physicsoflifelmu.bsky.social
· Mar 17
🚀 The Frey Group is now on Bluesky! 🌐
We explore statistical physics, biophysics, and nonequilibrium systems. From active matter to self-organization in biology, we uncover fundamental principles of complex systems.
#Physics #Biophysics #ActiveMatter #ComplexSystems #TheoreticalPhysics
We explore statistical physics, biophysics, and nonequilibrium systems. From active matter to self-organization in biology, we uncover fundamental principles of complex systems.
#Physics #Biophysics #ActiveMatter #ComplexSystems #TheoreticalPhysics
Reposted by Erwin Frey
🏛️ 200 Years of LMU in Munich 🎓 Founded in 1472, relocated from Landshut to Munich in 1826 — today LMU celebrates 200 years in Munich and inaugurates Prof. Dr. Matthias H. Tschöp as President.
February 3, 2026 at 6:41 PM
🏛️ 200 Years of LMU in Munich 🎓 Founded in 1472, relocated from Landshut to Munich in 1826 — today LMU celebrates 200 years in Munich and inaugurates Prof. Dr. Matthias H. Tschöp as President.
Mehran Kardar’s Sommerfeld Lectures at LMU Munich are now available online.
Watch the full series here:
lnkd.in/dnuF2Rg6
(Click on a talk to access the video link.)
Many thanks again to Mehran for an outstanding set of lectures, and to everyone who joined us in Munich.
Watch the full series here:
lnkd.in/dnuF2Rg6
(Click on a talk to access the video link.)
Many thanks again to Mehran for an outstanding set of lectures, and to everyone who joined us in Munich.
January 24, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Mehran Kardar’s Sommerfeld Lectures at LMU Munich are now available online.
Watch the full series here:
lnkd.in/dnuF2Rg6
(Click on a talk to access the video link.)
Many thanks again to Mehran for an outstanding set of lectures, and to everyone who joined us in Munich.
Watch the full series here:
lnkd.in/dnuF2Rg6
(Click on a talk to access the video link.)
Many thanks again to Mehran for an outstanding set of lectures, and to everyone who joined us in Munich.
Applications open: Biopatterning—Patterning principles in biophysics (school). Beg Rohu, Quiberon (Brittany, FR), 25–29 May 2026. For PhD students/postdocs/ECR. Deadline: 15 Mar 2026. Fee 300€ incl lodging+meals. biopatterning.sciencesconf.org/?lang=en Please RT/share!
January 8, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Applications open: Biopatterning—Patterning principles in biophysics (school). Beg Rohu, Quiberon (Brittany, FR), 25–29 May 2026. For PhD students/postdocs/ECR. Deadline: 15 Mar 2026. Fee 300€ incl lodging+meals. biopatterning.sciencesconf.org/?lang=en Please RT/share!
Thrilled to attend the meeting—looking forward to the talks and discussions with colleagues. berkeleystatmech.org/index.html
Berkeley Statistical Mechanics Meeting
berkeleystatmech.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Thrilled to attend the meeting—looking forward to the talks and discussions with colleagues. berkeleystatmech.org/index.html
Next week at LMU Munich: the 32nd Arnold Sommerfeld Lecture Series with Mehran Kardar (MIT)—from KPZ and nonequilibrium physics to active matter, disorder, and soft matter.
Programme: www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/activities/l...
Programme: www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/activities/l...
January 6, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Next week at LMU Munich: the 32nd Arnold Sommerfeld Lecture Series with Mehran Kardar (MIT)—from KPZ and nonequilibrium physics to active matter, disorder, and soft matter.
Programme: www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/activities/l...
Programme: www.theorie.physik.uni-muenchen.de/activities/l...
Reposted by Erwin Frey
Still time to apply until January, 19th!
We are recruiting a tenure track professor in the broader area of molecular biology @zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de at Heidelberg University! www.nature.com/naturecareer... Please share and apply!
Tenure Track Professorship (W1 with Tenure Track to W3) in “Molecular Biology" (f/m/d) - Heidelberg job with Universität Heidelberg | 12850668
The Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH) and the Faculty of Biosciences invite applications for a Tenure Track Professors...
www.nature.com
January 3, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Still time to apply until January, 19th!
Reposted by Erwin Frey
Excited to announce that our Econophysiology workshop has been accepted at the BIRS in 2027 🇨🇦
Co-organized with Hidde de Jong, Edda Klipp, & Matt Scott, we will bring economists, biologists, and physicists together to build a shared conceptual language across disciplines.
Stay tuned!
www.birs.ca
Co-organized with Hidde de Jong, Edda Klipp, & Matt Scott, we will bring economists, biologists, and physicists together to build a shared conceptual language across disciplines.
Stay tuned!
www.birs.ca
December 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Excited to announce that our Econophysiology workshop has been accepted at the BIRS in 2027 🇨🇦
Co-organized with Hidde de Jong, Edda Klipp, & Matt Scott, we will bring economists, biologists, and physicists together to build a shared conceptual language across disciplines.
Stay tuned!
www.birs.ca
Co-organized with Hidde de Jong, Edda Klipp, & Matt Scott, we will bring economists, biologists, and physicists together to build a shared conceptual language across disciplines.
Stay tuned!
www.birs.ca
Join us for #MECO51 (51st Middle European Cooperation in Statistical Physics), 18–22 May 2026 in Pont-à-Mousson, France (Abbaye des Prémontrés). Invited & contributed talks, posters & best-poster prize. meco51.sciencesconf.org
Middle European Cooperation in Statistical Physics (51ème édition) - Sciencesconf.org
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meco51.sciencesconf.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Join us for #MECO51 (51st Middle European Cooperation in Statistical Physics), 18–22 May 2026 in Pont-à-Mousson, France (Abbaye des Prémontrés). Invited & contributed talks, posters & best-poster prize. meco51.sciencesconf.org
New review out: "Pattern Formation Beyond Turing: Physical Principles of Mass-Conserving Reaction–Diffusion Systems". A unifying framework for protein pattern formation, from Min oscillations to Turing foams. arxiv.org/abs/2512.12558
December 16, 2025 at 7:34 AM
New review out: "Pattern Formation Beyond Turing: Physical Principles of Mass-Conserving Reaction–Diffusion Systems". A unifying framework for protein pattern formation, from Min oscillations to Turing foams. arxiv.org/abs/2512.12558
Reposted by Erwin Frey
🚀 Transfer, der Wirkung zeigt: Die LMU-Ausgründung #Amplifold sichert sich 5 Mio. Euro Seed-Finanzierung, um ultrasensitive Schnelltests auf Basis von #DNA-Origami-Nanotechnologie auf den Markt zu bringen.
Transfer: LMU-Ausgründung Amplifold erzielt Neufinanzierung für die Entwicklung besserer Schnelltests
Das Start-up verbindet DNA-Origami-Nanotechnologie mit günstigen Schnelltests – die neue Finanzierung in Höhe von fünf Millionen Euro soll helfen, die ultrasensitiven Tests auf den Markt zu bringen.
www.lmu.de
December 15, 2025 at 8:14 AM
🚀 Transfer, der Wirkung zeigt: Die LMU-Ausgründung #Amplifold sichert sich 5 Mio. Euro Seed-Finanzierung, um ultrasensitive Schnelltests auf Basis von #DNA-Origami-Nanotechnologie auf den Markt zu bringen.
Reposted by Erwin Frey
📢 New extended abstract submission deadline: 6 January 2026! Outstanding speaker list, plus many slots for short talks by students, postdocs, and junior PIs. Join us in March in Barcelona! events.ibecbarcelona.eu/embl-ibec-co...
December 15, 2025 at 10:15 AM
📢 New extended abstract submission deadline: 6 January 2026! Outstanding speaker list, plus many slots for short talks by students, postdocs, and junior PIs. Join us in March in Barcelona! events.ibecbarcelona.eu/embl-ibec-co...
Reposted by Erwin Frey
How can we ensure that #SyntheticCell/ #SynCell research is conducted responsibly?
The EVOLF research programme is developing guidelines for the responsible creation and control of synthetic cells.
Discover how EVOLF intends to shape the future of this research: edu.nl/8yxax
#Bioethics
The EVOLF research programme is developing guidelines for the responsible creation and control of synthetic cells.
Discover how EVOLF intends to shape the future of this research: edu.nl/8yxax
#Bioethics
Engineering Synthetic Cells Responsibly: Insights from EVOLF
How can we ensure that synthetic cells are engineered responsibly? Learn from Lotte Asveld, who, within the EVOLF research programme, is developing guidelines for the responsible creation and control ...
edu.nl
December 15, 2025 at 12:41 PM
How can we ensure that #SyntheticCell/ #SynCell research is conducted responsibly?
The EVOLF research programme is developing guidelines for the responsible creation and control of synthetic cells.
Discover how EVOLF intends to shape the future of this research: edu.nl/8yxax
#Bioethics
The EVOLF research programme is developing guidelines for the responsible creation and control of synthetic cells.
Discover how EVOLF intends to shape the future of this research: edu.nl/8yxax
#Bioethics
Arrived in Stellenbosch and ready for a week of deep discussions on the physics of living systems with colleagues and friends. www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za/wp-content/u...
December 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Arrived in Stellenbosch and ready for a week of deep discussions on the physics of living systems with colleagues and friends. www.greenbuildingafrica.co.za/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Erwin Frey
Very happy to share our 'Evoscape' paper, now published in PNAS ! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Generative epigenetic landscapes map the topology and topography of cell fates | PNAS
Epigenetic landscapes were proposed by Waddington as the central concept to describe
cell fate dynamics in a locally low-dimensional space. In mode...
www.pnas.org
December 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Very happy to share our 'Evoscape' paper, now published in PNAS ! www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
🧪⚛️ “Turing foams” in the Min system—now seen in experiment. Non-equilibrium protein currents create foam-like interfaces obeying Plateau laws and even splitting like tiny dividing cells. Stunning video from Petra Schwille’s lab; the whole story is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
🧪⚛️ “Turing foams” in the Min system—now seen in experiment. Non-equilibrium protein currents create foam-like interfaces obeying Plateau laws and even splitting like tiny dividing cells. Stunning video from Petra Schwille’s lab; the whole story is here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪⚛️ Surface tension—driven by non-equilibrium currents not forces—in pattern formation leads to the same type of interface laws as in liquid foams: Plateau laws, von Neumann evolution; and a new emergent phenomenon: domain splitting akin to cell division. nature.com/articles/s4156…
December 6, 2025 at 8:12 AM
🧪⚛️ Surface tension—driven by non-equilibrium currents not forces—in pattern formation leads to the same type of interface laws as in liquid foams: Plateau laws, von Neumann evolution; and a new emergent phenomenon: domain splitting akin to cell division. nature.com/articles/s4156…
Liquid gears and conveyor belts: We show how the interplay between phase-separation and chemotactic interactions gives rise to persistent capillary waves that drive the formation of active “gears” and “conveyor belts”. link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
December 6, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Liquid gears and conveyor belts: We show how the interplay between phase-separation and chemotactic interactions gives rise to persistent capillary waves that drive the formation of active “gears” and “conveyor belts”. link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/...
🧪 Geometry beats chemistry: we show that self-assembly can be controlled by tuning large-scale geometric parameters rather than molecular binding energies.
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
November 27, 2025 at 4:49 PM
🧪 Geometry beats chemistry: we show that self-assembly can be controlled by tuning large-scale geometric parameters rather than molecular binding energies.
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
PNAS: doi.org/10.1073/pnas...
Video summary: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS3...
#SelfAssembly #Biophysics #PhysicsOfLife
Was great fun to give the physics colloquium at the University of Padova. indico.dfa.unipd.it/event/1570/
Colloquium October 23 - Emergence and Self-Organisation in Biological Systems
Speaker: Prof. Erwin Frey Affiliation: Chair for Statistical and Biological Physics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Date: October 23rd, 2025, 3 p.m. Where: Aula Rostagni Abstract: Isolat...
indico.dfa.unipd.it
October 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Was great fun to give the physics colloquium at the University of Padova. indico.dfa.unipd.it/event/1570/
Reposted by Erwin Frey
📌 Join us for the next klogW seminar on October 21st at 12PM EST (register below) by Erwin Frey @physicsoflifelmu.bsky.social on "Emergence and Self-organization in Biological Systems".
Registration link:
apsphysics.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Registration link:
apsphysics.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
September 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
📌 Join us for the next klogW seminar on October 21st at 12PM EST (register below) by Erwin Frey @physicsoflifelmu.bsky.social on "Emergence and Self-organization in Biological Systems".
Registration link:
apsphysics.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Registration link:
apsphysics.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Erwin Frey
WORK!
I currently have 5 (!) open positions for postdocs/PhD students in our CDlab for projects:
- Nanopore protein sequencing
- Archaeal CDV cell division
- Microfluidics for synthetic cells
- Nuclear Pore Complex
- Origami mimics of peroxisomes
Please apply! ceesdekkerlab.nl/come-join-us/
RT=👍
I currently have 5 (!) open positions for postdocs/PhD students in our CDlab for projects:
- Nanopore protein sequencing
- Archaeal CDV cell division
- Microfluidics for synthetic cells
- Nuclear Pore Complex
- Origami mimics of peroxisomes
Please apply! ceesdekkerlab.nl/come-join-us/
RT=👍
August 13, 2025 at 1:30 PM
WORK!
I currently have 5 (!) open positions for postdocs/PhD students in our CDlab for projects:
- Nanopore protein sequencing
- Archaeal CDV cell division
- Microfluidics for synthetic cells
- Nuclear Pore Complex
- Origami mimics of peroxisomes
Please apply! ceesdekkerlab.nl/come-join-us/
RT=👍
I currently have 5 (!) open positions for postdocs/PhD students in our CDlab for projects:
- Nanopore protein sequencing
- Archaeal CDV cell division
- Microfluidics for synthetic cells
- Nuclear Pore Complex
- Origami mimics of peroxisomes
Please apply! ceesdekkerlab.nl/come-join-us/
RT=👍
Reposted by Erwin Frey
do not think twice. Apply. 👇🏼
WORK!
I currently have 5 (!) open positions for postdocs/PhD students in our CDlab for projects:
- Nanopore protein sequencing
- Archaeal CDV cell division
- Microfluidics for synthetic cells
- Nuclear Pore Complex
- Origami mimics of peroxisomes
Please apply! ceesdekkerlab.nl/come-join-us/
RT=👍
I currently have 5 (!) open positions for postdocs/PhD students in our CDlab for projects:
- Nanopore protein sequencing
- Archaeal CDV cell division
- Microfluidics for synthetic cells
- Nuclear Pore Complex
- Origami mimics of peroxisomes
Please apply! ceesdekkerlab.nl/come-join-us/
RT=👍
August 14, 2025 at 11:53 AM
do not think twice. Apply. 👇🏼
Interested in learning about #intelligent #active #matter? We have three open spots for presenting a poster at an international conference close to Munich. Please send an email to frey@lmu.de before Friday noon (25.7) iam.physik.lmu.de
July 24, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Interested in learning about #intelligent #active #matter? We have three open spots for presenting a poster at an international conference close to Munich. Please send an email to frey@lmu.de before Friday noon (25.7) iam.physik.lmu.de
Reposted by Erwin Frey
📣Book alert📣
Finally out with Cambridge University Press: the book by Udo Seifert on "Stochastic thermodynamics". It comprehensively covers many topics, from an introduction to statistical physics to many special subjects such as reaction networks and active particles. Highly recommended 👍👍👍
Finally out with Cambridge University Press: the book by Udo Seifert on "Stochastic thermodynamics". It comprehensively covers many topics, from an introduction to statistical physics to many special subjects such as reaction networks and active particles. Highly recommended 👍👍👍
July 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM
📣Book alert📣
Finally out with Cambridge University Press: the book by Udo Seifert on "Stochastic thermodynamics". It comprehensively covers many topics, from an introduction to statistical physics to many special subjects such as reaction networks and active particles. Highly recommended 👍👍👍
Finally out with Cambridge University Press: the book by Udo Seifert on "Stochastic thermodynamics". It comprehensively covers many topics, from an introduction to statistical physics to many special subjects such as reaction networks and active particles. Highly recommended 👍👍👍
We present a theory explaining how the thymic medulla acquires its morphology. Our model shows that key interactions—thymocyte chemotaxis, selection, and signaling to epithelial cells—are sufficient to generate the observed spatial organization.
| PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
| PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Basic interactions responsible for thymus function explain the convoluted medulla shape | PNAS
The thymus is one of the most important organs of the immune system. It is responsible
for both the production of T cells and the prevention of the...
www.pnas.org
June 24, 2025 at 7:07 AM
We present a theory explaining how the thymic medulla acquires its morphology. Our model shows that key interactions—thymocyte chemotaxis, selection, and signaling to epithelial cells—are sufficient to generate the observed spatial organization.
| PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
| PNAS www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...