Recent years have seen great progress in understanding the structure
and function of cell-biological subsystems using the ideas and
techniques of physics. Some of these advances have come from progress
in experimental method (confocal microscopy, optical tweezers), while
others come from the development of new tools in statistical
mechanics. At the same time the study of biological systems holds the
promise of creating new artificial materials with remarkable
properties (microtubules, self-assembled monolayers, monodisperse
polymers).
Perhaps surprisingly, biomembranes and biopolymers also turn out to have a great beauty and depth when regarded as purely physical systems. We will mainly focus on this third point of view, but will keep the others in mind as well.
There will be about seven 90-minute lectures. There will be one long problem-set-cum-exam. The list of topics is still evolving, but here is a general summary with some background references. Most likely I will cover a few classic calculations drawn from the literature cited below, together with their experimental confirmation.
Prerequisites:
A general background in statistical mechanics will be assumed.
Note: Physics 650 has been superseded by Physics 580 and is not currently offered.
Announcements will appear here.
Phil Nelson