Details of LS3203 (Spring 2020)

Level: 3 Type: Theory Credits: 4.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
LS3203 Biophysics II Bidisha Sinha

Syllabus

  • Concepts:
  • Essential mathematical tools; Concepts of heat, work, entropy, free energy minimization; Boltzmann Distribution
  • Revision of random walk, Persistence length
  • Fluctuations, Diffusion and Dissipation.
  • Non-bonded interactions, Bjerrum length, Debye screening, Poisson-Boltzmann Equation;
  • Nonequilibrium distribution of ions in cells: Donnan Equilibrium, Nernst Potential;
  • Macroscopic manifestation: Reynolds Number, Naviers Stokes Equation;
  • Stochastic processes.



  • Systems/processes from different scales:
  • Forces and energetics of Protein structure and folding; Allosteric interactions;
  • Membrane structure and mechanics;
  • Forces generated by actin polymerization, molecular motors;
  • Mechanisms of origin and propagation of action potential;
  • Mechanism of bacterial motility, understanding blood flow through capillaries;
  • Pattern formation and oscillations in biosystems.

References

  1. Biological Physics (updated edition, 2004) Philip C. Nelson.
  2. Biophysics. Roland Glasser. Springer (2001)
  3. Random walks in biology. H. Berg. Princeton University Press (1993)
  4. Molecular Biology of the cell. Alberts et al. Garland Science (2007)
  5. Physical Biology of the cell. Rob Phillips, Jane Kondev, Julie Theriot. Garland Science (2008)

Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 2 Core
2 IP 4 Not Allowed
3 IP 6 Not Allowed
4 MR 2 Not Allowed
5 MR 4 Not Allowed
6 MS 6 Core
7 RS 1 Elective
8 RS 2 Elective