The Structure and Properties of Mildly-broken Symmetries

4 - 5 October 2017
​Institute of Advanced Study, Durham University
​Workshop chairs: Tom McLeish and Markus Hausmann

This meeting is part of a series of Focused Workshops delivered through the EPSRC NetworkPlus in ‘Understanding the Physics of Life 2’.

Workshop overview:
The concept of mildly-broken symmetries, or slight asymmetry is less well-explored than symmetry or asymmetry itself, yet underlies much of physical and life sciences.  From the lateralisation of the cortex to small finite-masses of neutrinos, from the asymmetries of protein dimers and biological growth patterns to symmetry breaking in demixing fluids, examples are multiple and manifold.  The aim of this workshop will be to seek, test and quantify the concept of ‘mildly broken symmetry’ across all disciplines. Speakers from across the spectrum of disciplines in physical, life and social sciences will present at this workshop. They include Iain McGilchrist (author of The Master and His Emissary), Frank Close (Oxford), cosmologist and author of very high quality popular science books, including his recent book on Asymmetry. They will speak alongside Psychologists Markus Hausman (Durham) and Chris McManus (UCL) and life, physical and mathematical scientists Tom McLeish (Durham), Ard Louis (Cambridge), Jonathan Heddle (Krakow), Amanda Nichols (Oklohoma) and Alain Goriley (Oxford). A perspective from the aesthetics of asymmetry will be injected through the inclusion of Philosopher Myron Penner (Trinity Western). 

Purpose

This workshop aims to bring together scientists across disciplines to discuss challenges and opportunities in this under studied field. Emphasis will be placed on discussions and questions.
The chief questions this workshop seeks to address include:
(1) What are the roles and consequences of mildly-broken symmetries in physics and biology?
(2) Does a comparative analysis assist in understanding either?
(3) What is a route towards a conceptual and mathematical formulation of ‘mildly broken symmetry’ that would assist understanding its structure and function?

Who should attend?

Participation by researchers from all subject disciplines interested on this topic are invited.

Programme

Day 1 - 4 October

11.30	Registration and Coffee
12.00	Introduction: Tom Mcleish
12.15	Frank Close (Physics, Oxford) The Asymmetric Universe- from unstable symmetry to stable unsymmetry
13.15	Lunch
14.00	Ard Louis (Physics, Oxford) Does (near) symmetry spontaneously arise from algorithmic nature of the world?
14.45	Amanda Nichold (Chemistry, Oklohoma) Symmetry, asymmetry and the explanatory value of aesthetic properties part 1
15.30	Myron Penner (Philosophy, Trinity Western) Symmetry, asymmetry and the explanatory value of aesthetic properties part 2
16.15	Refreshments
16.30	Panel Discussion
17.30	Finish
19.00	Conference dinner at Lebaneat

Day 2 - 5 October

9.00	​Introduction by Markus Hausmann (Psychology, Durham)
09.15	Iain McGilchrist (Psychiatry, Oxford) Asymmetry of the brain and asymmetry of the world
10.15	Christian Lorenz (KC London); Investigating the role of interfacial water on the beginnings of material-driven fibronectin fibrillogenesis with molecular dynamics simulations
10.45	Refreshment break
12.15	Chris McManus (Psychology, UCL) Near symmetry in bodies, brains and art
13.00	Lunch
13.45	​Alain Goriely (Maths, Oxford) Symmetry breaking in biological growth with applications to the brain
14.30	Jonathan Heddle (Biotechnology, Krakow) TRAPped in Space: Protein Nanocages with Unusual Structures
15.00	Panel Discussion​

Registration

Registration for this event is FREE. Registration is now closed.

Directions

The meeting will take place at Institute of Advanced Study, Durham University.