8.592J - HST.452J (Fall 2025)

Statistical Physics in Biology

Lecture 1



Outline

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

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

Preliminary schedule of activities


Evolving Probabilities

  1. Mutating Sequence:
  2. Population Perspective:

(Lecture notes)


8.592  lec1- last update  9/3/2025 by M. Kardar