8.592J - HST.452J (Spring 2022)

Statistical Physics in Biology

Lecture 1

(Please note that lecture is being recorded)



Outline

A random walk in biological physics, motivated by statistical physics, and organized by:

I.   Sequence nucleic acids in DNA/RNA; amino-acids in proteins    [mutations, fixation, population genetics]
information
II.  Structure DNA double helix; RNA secondary form; protein folding
interaction
III. Function building blocks of force and motion: membranes, tubules, motors, ...
cooperation
IV. Emergence networks: modules, patterns, collective dynamics, ...
complexity

Preliminary schedule of activities


Evolving Probabilities

  1. Mutating Sequence:
  2. Population Perspective:
  3. (Lecture notes)

8.592  lec1- last update 1/31/2022 by M. Kardar