Statistical Physics in Biology

Introduction; Master Equation

Outline

TOPICS	DESCRIPTION	CATEGORY
I. Sequence	nucleic acids in DNA/RNA; amino-acids in proteins	information
II. Structure	DNA double helix; RNA secondary form; protein folding	interactions
III. Function	building blocks, force and motion: membranes, tubules, motors…	mechanisms
IV. Assembly	networks: modules, patterns, collective dynamics…	complexity

Evolving Probabilities

1. Mutating Sequence:
   • Mutations & Classical genetics
   • Binary sequence of independent elements
   • Transition matrix and time dependent evolution
2. Population Perspective:
   • Master equation for evolving population
   • Steady state (binary distribution)
   • Enzymatic analog

(Detailed Lecture Notes (PDF))