8.592J | Spring 2011 | Graduate

Statistical Physics in Biology

Calendar

SES # TOPICS KEY DATES
1 Introduction; Master equation  
2 Elements of population genetics  
3 Evolving populations (forward Kolmogorov)  
4 Population genetics (fitness, selection, …)  
5 Fixation (backward Kolmogorov)  
6 Introduction to sequence alignment Assignment 1 due
7 Algorithms for sequence alignment  
8 Significance of alignments (extreme value distributions)  
9 Ionic interactions Assignment 2 due
10 Polymer theory 1, entropy elasticity, collapse  
11 Polymer theory 2, collapse, Random energy model  
12 Protein folding I: elements of structure and forces Assignment 3 due
13 Protein folding II: evolved (designed) foldable proteins  
14 Protein folding III: kinetics Assignment 4 due
15 Protein folding IV:: kinetics  
16 DNA (melting)  
17 RNA (secondary structure) Assignment 5 due
18 Protein-DNA interactions I: specific and non-specific binding  
19 Protein-DNA interactions II: sequence-dependence & kinetics Assignment 6 due
20 Microtubules  
21 Molecular motors & cell motility Assignment 7 due
22 Introduction to networks  
23 Dynamics on networks 1  
24 Dynamics on networks 2 Assignment 8 due
25 Packing of DNA inside cells  
26 Cooperativity: hemoglobin and transcription factors Final Project due

Course Info

As Taught In
Spring 2011
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