Condensation of counterions on a charged polymer. (Figure by Prof. Mehran Kardar.)
Prof. Leonid Mirny
Prof. Mehran Kardar
8.592J / HST.452J
Spring 2005
Graduate
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.