National Academy of Sciences Press, 2010, 106 pagesCommittee on Forefronts of Science at the Interface of Physical and Life Sciences; National Research CouncilThis book discusses how some of the most important scientific and societal challenges can be addressed, at least in part, by collaborative research that lies at the intersection of traditional disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and physics. This book describes how some of the mysteries of the biological world are being addressed using tools and techniques developed in the physical sciences, and identifies five areas of potentially transformative research.This book recommends several ways to accelerate such cross-discipline research. Many of these recommendations are directed toward those administering the faculties and resources of our great research institutions-and the stewards of our research funders, making this book an excellent resource for academic and research institutions, scientists, universities, and federal and private funding agencies.Contents
Summary
Introduction
Grand Challenges
Synthesizing Lifelike Systems
Understanding the Brain
Predicting Individual Organisms’ Characteristics from Their DNA Sequence
Interactions of the Earth, Its Climate, and the Biosphere
Understanding Biological Diversity
Societal Challenges
Identifying and Combating Biological Threats
Early Detection and Intervention
Prediction of Susceptibility to Disease and Its Prevention
Climate and Its Interface with Biology
Complex Feedback Loops in Climate Science
Implications of Renewable Energy
Medicine
Imaging
Treatment and Devices
Agriculture as a Resource for Food and Energy
Building Better Plants and Getting More Out of Them
Hydrogenases and Synthetic Photosynthesis
Beyond Combustion
Materials Science
Opportunities
Common Themes at the Intersection of Biological and Physical Sciences Interaction and Information: From Molecules to Organisms and Beyond
Dynamics, Multistability, and Stochasticity
Self-organization and Self-assembly
Conclusion
Enabling Technologies AND Tools for research
Introduction
Physical Basis of Molecular Recognition
Structures and Dynamics Within Cells
Cellular Environment
Interactions Within Cells
Examining Structures Within Cells
Theory and Simulations
Collective Dynamics
Complex Community Signals and Shared Resources at Large Length Scales
Enabling Research at the Intersection : Promoting Training, Support, and Communication Across Disciplines Connections Between Disciplines
Culture of Separation Between the Life and Physical Sciences
Culture and Organization of Academia
Organization of Support for Research
Supporting Transformative Research
Educating Scientists at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences
Enabling Interdisciplinary Research Starting at the Undergraduate Level
Integrating Life and Physical Sciences for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Researchers
