Physics of the cell

BIO-244 / 4 crédits

Enseignant: Persat Alexandre Louis André

Langue: Anglais

Summary

Living organisms evolve in a physical world: their cells respond to mechanics, electricity and light. In this course, we will describe the behavior and function of cells using physical principles.

Content


Molecular motors
Ion channels
Electricity in cells
Multicellularity and biological patterns
Biofilms
Numbers and estimates in biology
Life at low Reynolds number
Biopolymers
Cytoskeleton
Membrane mechanics

Keywords

Biological Physics
Quantitative Biology
Back of the enveloppe calculations
Biomechanics
Mechanobiology
Cells

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Introductory Biology

Introductory Physics

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Quantify forces in biological systems
  • Identify mechanically sensitive elements in a cell
  • Integrate their engineer knowledge in biology

Assessment methods

Written exam

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistants Yes
Forum Yes

Resources

Bibliography

Physical Biology of the Cell (Rob Phillips, Jane Kondev, Julie Theriot)

Ressources en bibliothèque



Notes/Handbook

The instructors will provide class notes

Moodle Link

Dans les plans d'études

  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Ecrit (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Physics of the cell
  • Cours: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Exercices: 2 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: optionnel

Semaine de référence

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