溯经典之源，探交叉之本。与我们共赴物理生物学经典读书会（Physical Biology Journal Club），回到伟大思想诞生的现场！
Topic: Turing Patterns in Biology - Part Ⅰ
Speaker: Qianqian Zhou (周芊芊), PhD student, Westlake University
Time: 16:00-17:30, Thursday, May 21, 2026
Venue: E14-326, Research Center, Westlake University
Reference: Turing, A. M. (1952). The chemical basis of morphogenesis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, 237(641), 37-72.
Key Words: Reaction–diffusion, Turing patterns, Diffusion-driven instability, Linear stability analysis
Abstract: It is suggested that a system of chemical substances, called morphogens, reacting together and diffusing through a tissue, is adequate to account for the main phenomena of morphogenesis. Such a system, although it may originally be quite homogeneous, may later develop a pattern or structure due to an instability of the homogeneous equilibrium, which is triggered off by random disturbances. Such reaction-diffusion systems are considered in some detail in the case of an isolated ring of cells, a mathematically convenient, though biologically unusual system. The investigation is chiefly concerned with the onset of instability. It is found that there are six essentially different forms which this may take. In the most interesting form stationary waves appear on the ring. It is suggested that this might account, for instance, for the tentacle patterns on Hydra and for whorled leaves. A system of reactions and diffusion on a sphere is also considered. Such a system appears to account for gastrulation. Another reaction system in two dimensions gives rise to patterns reminiscent of dappling. It is also suggested that stationary waves in two dimensions could account for the phenomena of phyllotaxis. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a possible mechanism by which the genes of a zygote may determine the anatomical structure of the resulting organism. The theory does not make any new hypotheses; it merely suggests that certain well-known physical laws are sufficient to account for many of the facts. The full understanding of the paper requires a good knowledge of mathematics, some biology, and some elementary chemistry.
读书会简介：物理生物学读书会由西湖大学交叉科学中心（CIS）师生共同发起，每周四在轻松自由的氛围中，深入研读物理生物学领域的经典文献，通过追本溯源，激发思想碰撞，促进跨学科交流与合作。
发起人：钱紘，徐小婵
主讲人：以博士后和博士生为核心，全员开放！我们热忱欢迎每一位希望分享的主讲人。
参与成员：欢迎全校所有对物理生物学等交叉领域有浓厚兴趣的师生加入。
地点：科研中心 E14-326 会议室
形式：读书会每周聚焦物理生物学领域的一篇经典论文或书籍章节，通过主讲人领读与集体讨论，理解相关领域的核心概念、理论与模型，系统梳理该领域的基础知识、核心问题与研究范式。
Overview: The Physical Biology Journal Club is a weekly Friday lunchtime event hosted by the faculty and students of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS). Our goal is to help everyone learn about how key concepts and groundbreaking discoveries have shaped and inspired the entire research fields. Through lively, in-depth discussion of classic physical biology papers and books, we explore the history, foundational principles, research methodologies, and the remarkable stories of the scientists behind them. Join us to connect with the roots of physical biology and spark ideas in a welcoming environment.
Organizers: Hong Qian, Xiaochan Xu
Speaker: Led by postdocs & PhDs, and everyone can be a host!
Audience: All with a strong interest in physical biology are warmly welcomed.
Venue: E14-326, Research Center, Westlake University
Contact Information
Ms. Jin Liang (梁金), liangjin@westlake.edu.cn, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS)
Ms. Shujie Du (杜舒节), dushujie@westlake.edu.cn, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS)
