This lecture explores the fundamental principles and advanced concepts of nonequilibrium field theories and stochastic dynamics. The course focuses on stochastic processes in particle and field systems, emphasizing mathematical formalisms such as Langevin equations, Fokker-Planck equations, and path integrals. Additionally, we will discuss applications in soft matter physics, active matter, and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. more

Understanding how cells generate shape changes is central to unraveling the physical basis of morphogenesis and synthetic cell design. Here, we present a quantitative theory of light-controlledcortical excitability in starfish oocytes, uncovering how programmable shape deformations arise from the interplay of biochemical signaling and mechanical response. In vivo experiments using optogenetically controlled GEFs decoupled from meiotic cues demonstrate that local or global illumination of starfish oocytes can generate a broad repertoire of mechanical behaviors—from transient pinching and surface contraction waves (SCWs) to catastrophic cell lysis. Our framework integrates these observations into a coherent chemo-mechanical model coupling nonlinear Rho dynamics to cortex elasticity, revealing the mechanisms by which optical stimuli steer intracellular contractility and cell geometry. more