Skip to content
CIFAR header logo
fr
menu_mobile_logo_alt
  • Our Impact
    • Why CIFAR?
    • Impact Clusters
    • News
    • CIFAR Strategy
    • Nurturing a Resilient Earth
    • AI Impact
    • Donor Impact
    • CIFAR 40
  • Events
    • Public Events
    • Invitation-only Meetings
  • Programs
    • Research Programs
    • Pan-Canadian AI Strategy
    • Next Generation Initiatives
  • People
    • Fellows & Advisors
    • CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars
    • Canada CIFAR AI Chairs
    • AI Strategy Leadership
    • Solution Network Members
    • Leadership
    • Staff Directory
  • Support Us
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Awards
    • Partnerships
    • Publications & Reports
    • Careers
    • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
    • Statement on Institutional Neutrality
    • Research Security
  • fr
Uncategorized

Emergence in Living and Non-Living

By: CIFAR
16 Jan, 2019
January 16, 2019
post_content

How do we harness emergence of complex behaviour?

The phenomenon of emergence – interactions among simpler entities which leads to new properties or behaviour – cuts across numerous complex systems in physics, economics, ecology, sociology etc. The Emergence in Living and Non-Living Systems program will explore the phenomenon from a developmental biology perspective, examining how the collective behaviour of individual cells leads to the emergence of complex systems.

It will link these principles to advanced non-living machines that can adapt and evolve. Imagine machines composed of “programmable matter” that can form dynamically-changing physical structures, buildings which adjust their structure in response to the geometry of their location, or re-configurable robots which can self-direct themselves to adapt their shape and configuration for different tasks.

Applicants:

  •   Peter Zandstra is l’Anson Professor of Tissue Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Stem Cell Bioengineering at the University of Toronto.
  •   Hiroaki Kitano is head of the Systems Biology Institute and a professor at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.
  • Follow Us

Related Articles

  • CIFAR launches new exploration on “The Future of Food”
    July 15, 2025
  • CIFAR Distinguished Fellow W. Ford Doolittle appointed Companion of the Order of Canada
    July 08, 2025
  • New and returning AI talent at CIFAR
    July 03, 2025
  • In Memoriam: Raymond Laflamme
    June 24, 2025

Support Us

The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world’s most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems, together. We are supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Québec, as well as Canadian and international foundations, individuals, corporations and partner organizations.

Donate Now
CIFAR header logo

MaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Ave., Suite 505
Toronto, ON M5G 1M1 Canada

Contact Us
Media
Careers
Accessibility Policies
Supporters
Financial Reports
Subscribe

  • © Copyright 2025 CIFAR. All Rights Reserved.
  • Charitable Registration Number: 11921 9251 RR0001
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap

Subscribe

Stay up to date on news & ideas from CIFAR.

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience and for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy.
Accept Learn more