Master - Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie

Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg 39
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Code: MVBP2
Programme: Master of Science (Physics)
Course Title: Theoretical Biophysics
Type: Lecture with exercises
Credit Points: 6
Workload: 180 h
Teaching Hours:
6/week
Mode:
WPM
Term:
SS
Module Parts :
• Lecture on “Theoretical Biophysics” (4 hours/week)
• Exercise (2 hour/week)
Module Contents:
• Macromolecules
-General properties of macromolecules: Freely jointed chain, the Gaussian chain model,
elastic rod model, self avoiding chains, conformations and energy landscapes,
macromolecules in solution, Macromolecules at a surface
-Intermolecular interactions and electrostatic screening
-Helix-Coil transition
-DNA melting -Polyelectrolytes: The Poisson-Boltzmann equation
-Proteins: Protein folding numerical approaches, folding as a spin glass problem Proteinprotein
interactions -Chromatin: Chromatin models, force-extension behaviour of folded
macromolecules
-Genes: Gene expression and genetic code
• Membranes
- Self–assembly of micelles
-Surface behaviour of lipids: differential geometry of surfaces, membrane elasticity and
bending energy, membrane fluctuations
-Structure of Lipids -Cell Membranes
• Transport
- Diffusion -Polymer dynamics: Rouse Model, hydrodynamic interactions
• Networks
- Gels
-Metabolic Networks: Boolean networks, scale-free networks, robustness of
networks
• Molecular Motors
-Polymerization of cell filaments
-Brownian ratchet
-A basic model of a molecular motor
• Statistical Analysis
-Bayesian Analysis
-Monte Carlo Methods
-Hidden Markov Models
Objective: Introduction to theoretical concepts for physics of living matter
Necessary/useful Knowledge: Basics of Classical Mechanics, Electrodynamics and
Statistical Mechanics
Recommended Literature: To be announced by lecturer
Specialties: Exercises with homework
Form of Testing and Examination: To be defined by lecturer before beginning of course
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