Biophysics

The aim of the course is to provide an overview of cellular biophysics by illustrating how physical principles underlying mechanics, thermodynamics, hydrodynamics and kinetics influence cell behaviour.

The student at the end of the course will have acquired the following skills:
1) He/she will know the basics of the functioning and structure of a cell.
2) He/she will know the genetic code and its function.
3) He/she will be able to provide quantitative estimates for objects and processes relevant to the cell.
4) He/she will know how to apply elasticity theory methods to the study of biological filaments and membranes.
5) He/she will be able to interpret simple cellular processes through the use of statistical mechanics (e.g.: opening of ion channels, ligand receptor kinetics, variation of protein conformation).
6) He/she will know the basic models for the statistical study of biological filaments.
7) He/she will know how to apply hydrodynamics in the cellular context.
8) He/she will be familiar with some dynamic and kinetic processes relevant to cellular functioning, such as polymerization, diffusion and molecular transport.