This book presents the fundamentals of molecular biophysics, and highlights the connection between molecules and biological phenomena, making it an important text across a variety of science disciplines.

The topics covered in the book include:

• Phase transitions that occur in biosystems (protein crystallisation, globule–coil transition etc)
• Liquid crystallinity as an example of the delicate range of partially ordered phases found with biological molecules
• How molecules move and propel themselves at the cellular level
• The general features of self–assembly with examples from proteins
• The phase behaviour of DNA

The physical toolbox presented within this text will form a basis for students to enter into a wide range of pure and applied bioengineering fields in medical, food and pharmaceutical areas.

This text presents a ‘nuts and bolts’ approach to the topic of biophysics. The presentation focuses on the simple underlying concepts and demonstrates them using a series of up–to–date applications.

The book aims to explain the constructions and machinery of biological molecules, in a similar way as a civil engineer would examine the construction of a building or a mechanical engineer would examine the dynamics of a turbine. Little or no recourse is taken to the chemical side of the subject, instead modern physical ideas are introduced to explain aspects of the phenomena that are confronted. These ideas provide an alternative complementary set of tools to solve biophysical problems.

The book begins with a discussion of the biological building blocks and the mesoscopic forces that occur between them. It then moves on to discuss such aspects as phase transitions, liquid crystallinity, motility, self–assembly and surface phenomena. The author then applies these principles to the behaviour of biomacromolecules, charged ions, polymers, and membranes. Furthermore applications in continuum mechanics, chromosomal structure, biorheology and modern experimental techniques are explored. Each chapter concludes with tutorial questions to challenge the reader as they progress through the text.

It is hoped that the approach taken within this text will appeal to physical scientists at all levels who are confronted with biological questions for the first time, as they become involved in the current biotechnological revolution.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

1. The Building Blocks.

2. Mesoscopic Forces.

3. Phase Transitions.

4. Liquid Crystallinity.

5. Motility.

6. Aggregating Self–Assembly.

7. Surface Phenomena.

8. Biomacromolecules.

9. Charged Ions and Polymers.

10. Membranes.

11. Continuum Mechanics.

12. Biorheology.

13. Experimental Techniques.

14. Motors.

15. Structural Biomaterials.

16. Phase Behaviour of DNA.

Appendix.

Answers to Tutorial Questions.

Index.

Tom Waigh