Details of LS4202 (Spring 2026)
| Level: 4 | Type: Theory | Credits: 4.0 |
| Course Code | Course Name | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| LS4202 | Biophysics II | Bidisha Sinha, Dipjyoti Das |
| Preamble |
|---|
| This course explores the fundamental physical and mathematical principles underlying biological systems, with an emphasis on electricity, mechanics, stochastic processes, and pattern formation in living organisms. Every topic will have case studies/ discussion of experimental designs and computational explorations. Students need to have a working knowledge of programming in MATLAB/Python. Basic knowledge of probability distribution, elementary algebra and calculus (such as differentiation and integration) is expected. |
| Syllabus |
|---|
| Syllabus
Biological Electricity: Non-bonded interactions, Bjerrum length, Debye screening, Poisson-Boltzmann Equation; Nonequilibrium distribution of ions in cells; Donnan Equilibrium, Nernst Potential; Mechanisms of origin and propagation of action potential; Hodgkin-Huxley Model. Chemical and Mechanical Equilibrium and Cellular Mechanics: Membrane structure and mechanics; Forces generated by actin polymerization, molecular motors; Cytoskeletal mechanics; Measurement of cellular dynamics; Cell motility Stochastic processes: Random walk, Diffusion, and Drift-diffusion equation, Polymer model using random walk, Biochemical reaction-kinetics, Gene expression noise, Genetic feedback Biological Patterns: Patterns in morphogenesis, Turing pattern, Notch delta signaling, oscillations, Lotka-Volterra system |
| References |
|---|
| 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. | Programme | Semester No | Course Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IP | 2 | Elective |
| 2 | IP | 4 | Elective |
| 3 | MP | 2 | Not Allowed |
| 4 | MP | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 5 | MR | 2 | Elective |
| 6 | MR | 4 | Elective |
| 7 | MS | 10 | Elective |
| 8 | MS | 4 | Not Allowed |
| 9 | MS | 6 | Not Allowed |
| 10 | MS | 8 | Elective |
| 11 | RS | 1 | Elective |
| 12 | RS | 2 | Elective |