Statistical mechanics is a common tool to study complex biological systems, as they are full of emergent phenomena due to interactions between cells, animals, etc. Specific models in fields with heavy use of statistical mechanics such as condensed matter physics are also often useful in studying living systems with appropriate simplification. An example of such systems is a metabolic network. Microorganisms and cells go through various chemical processes to generate energy and maintain their life, which is called metabolism. Competition or cooperation with neighbors affect the metabolism of individuals, leading to more complex metabolic networks. I will first briefly introduce what a metabolic network and a spin glass are and then discuss how the physics of spin glass can be used to model metabolic networks.
