Biological Physics

Recommended Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical classes: Expositive teaching with constant references to the biological systems which description requires the topics present in the syllabus. It is encouraged the discussion of other relevant topics that are subject of active discussion in the community.
Practical classes: Solving exercises, discussion and presentation of relevant articles. It is promoted the capacity to work in a team to develop theoretical models that describe biological phenomena.

Learning Outcomes

- Know Biological Physics state of art.
- Prepare the student for research in biological physics: foment the capacities for research and team work.
- Prepare the student to study biological systems quantitatively.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Noise in biological systems:
- mathematical description of genetic regulation
- Markov processes; Master equation
- Stochastic processes, Langevin equation, applications

Chemotaxis:
- flow at low Reynolds numbers
- swim and tumble movements of bacteria
- strategies adopted by bacteria to move
- advection vs diffusion; nonlinear diffusion

Dynamics of live tissues:
- Nonlinear elasticity; Cauchy and Green elasticity. Hyperelasticity. Residual tensions in biological systems. Fibers and elasticity.
- Viscoelastic materials; microscopic models; constitutive relations (upper convective Maxwell model) Dynamics of viscoelastic materials. Applications to Biology.

Head Lecturer(s)

Rui Davide Martins Travasso

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

R.W. Ogden, Nonlinear elastic deformations, Dover (1997).
R.G. Larson, The structure and rheology of complex fluids, Oxford University Press (1999).
M. Eisenbach et al, Chemotaxis, Imperial College Press (2004).
N.G. van Kampen, Stochastic processes in physics and chemistry, North-Holland (1981).