Math 6770: Physics of biomolecules and cells

T,H 9.10-10.30 (Fall 2004)

This is an introductory course on the physics of biomolecules and cells. The focus is on simple models that illustrate fundamental principles and basic analytical techniques, rather than on detailed computational models. Lectures will cover the following topics: equilibrium systems (entropy, free energy and partition functions), non-equilibrium systems (diffusion, friction and chemical kinetics), classical fluids (Van der Vaals theory, binary mixtures, surface interfaces), biomembranes (self-assembly of micelles, membrane elasticity/fluctuations, electronic interactions), biopolymers (single polymers, DNA strtetching, polymer networks and gels, actin cytoskeleton), molecular motors (polymerization, brownian ratchets/cell motility, flashing ratchets/mechanochemical models, reduced kinetic models).

Syllabus

Problem Set 1

Problem Set 2

Problem Set 3

Problem Set 4



Cell divisionPatchy connections
Cell motilityPatchy connections