Glassy physics - from liquids to living cells

The liquid-to-glass transition is a common but extremely complex phenomenon that still ranks among the deepest unsolved problems in theoretical condensed matter physics. In this talk I will discuss some recent advances in the theory of glassy matter, and the (perhaps surprising) link with the behavior of living cells in dense cell layers and tissues. Ultimately, a better understanding of the physics of the glass transition could even lead to a more accurate prognosis for cancer metastasis.