Current trends in biological physics

by Leif MATSSON (Göteborg University)

Thursday 23 Nov 2000, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Zurich

TH Auditorium (CERN)

While 'biophysics' usually deals with molecular interactions at the lowest level, the more general novel term 'biological physics' has been invented to cover also studies of condensed and complex properties of biological matter. A living cell is a chemically open system with functions that are often nonstationary and nonlinear. Concentration dependent, self-assembly processes are prerequisites for signal transduction and life to occur. Modelling this kind of phenomena may differ qualitatively from the stationary and thermotropic models used in many inanimate matter systems. Molecular biology thus requires a new type of physical modelling, which could also enrich some areas of physics itself.