Archived Versions

Statistical Physics in Biology

As taught in: Spring 2005

A charged polymer.

Condensation of counterions on a charged polymer. (Figure by Prof. Mehran Kardar.)

Instructors:

Prof. Leonid Mirny

Prof. Mehran Kardar

MIT Course Number:

8.592J / HST.452J

Level:

Graduate

Course Features

Course Description

Statistical Physics in Biology is a survey of problems at the interface of statistical physics and modern biology. Topics include: bioinformatic methods for extracting information content of DNA; gene finding, sequence comparison, and phylogenetic trees; physical interactions responsible for structure of biopolymers; DNA double helix, secondary structure of RNA, and elements of protein folding; considerations of force, motion, and packaging; protein motors, membranes. We also look at collective behavior of biological elements, cellular networks, neural networks, and evolution.