Biophysics of Cells and Single Molecules

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating interplay between physical forces, cell mechanics, and single-molecule dynamics, with an emphasis on bridging experimental biophysics, modeling, and biological data analyses with real-world applications across diverse scientific fields.

The integration of physics into biology is an increasingly prominent field, with mounting evidence supporting the crucial role of mechanical forces in biological systems. Cells, as dynamic and active entities, generate and maintain mechanical forces to engage with their surroundings. They adapt to mechanical stimuli and physical signals through cytoskeletal reorganization, mechanosensitive signaling, and force generation. This course delves into
how disruptions in the cellular mechanical environment impact processes like cell growth, motility, and decision-making.

We will delve into key physical phenomena, such as cytoskeleton dynamics, cell-cell interactions, viscoelasticity, and the effects of mechanical perturbations in diverse cell types including eukaryotic cells, bacteria, and plant cells. Additionally, students will gain hands-on experience in analyzing data from experiments and computational models to explore these phenomena.

This course combines foundational concepts in cell mechanics with insights from recent research. A central component involves critically analyzing primary literature to connect theoretical concepts with cutting-edge experimental results.