Between Statistical Physics and Biophysics

For the past 28 years since I was at POSTECH, my research area has been statistical physics. One of my major concerns has been the interface between physics and biology, particularly between statistical physics and biophysics. The bio-soft condensed matter systems in mesoscale (e.g., biopolymers, membranes, and cells) “live on” thermal fluctuations, and due to their unusual structural flexibility and connectivity, manifest a variety of emergent, cooperative behaviors, which can be related to biological self-organization. In this retirement commemorative talk, I will overview the pathway I have taken in the valley deep between two different sciences, searching for new statistical physics problems and paradigms.