PHYSICS *6S03 / Biophysics

3 unit(s)

(cross-listed as BIOCHEM *6S03)

Overview of the field of biophysics and its influence on molecular biology. Topics include: structure, elasticity, and mobility of biomolecules; molecular motors; mechanical properties of cells; mobility of bacteria; cell adhesion. We will discuss both theoretical aspects (statistical mechanics models for structure and folding of DNA, RNA and proteins) and experimental techniques (optical tweezers, AFM, fluorescence, etc).