Introduction to Modern Biophysics

Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781032256702
• eBook ISBN: 9781003821649
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Biology

This textbook provides an introduction to the fundamental and applied aspects of biophysics for

advanced undergraduate and graduate students of physics, chemistry, and biology.

The application of physics principles and techniques in exploring biological systems has long

been a tradition in scientific research. Biological systems hold naturally inbuilt physical principles

and processes which are popularly explored. Systematic discoveries help us understand the structures

and functions of individual biomolecules, biomolecular systems, cells, organelles, tissues, and even

the physiological systems of animals and plants. Utilizing a physics- based scientific understanding

of biological systems to explore disease is at the forefront of applied scientific research.

This textbook covers key breakthroughs in biophysics whilst looking ahead to future horizons

and directions of research. It contains models based on both classical and quantum mechanical

treatments of biological systems. It explores diseases related to physical alterations in biomolecular

structures and organizations alongside drug discovery strategies. It also discusses the cutting- edge

applications of nanotechnologies in manipulating nanoprocesses in biological systems.

Key Features:

• Presents an accessible introduction to how physics principles and techniques can be used to

understand biological and biochemical systems.

• Addresses natural processes, mutations, and their purposeful manipulation.

• Lays the groundwork for vitally important natural scientific, technological, and medical

advances.

Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, a biophysicist and condensed matter scientist, is passionate about

investigating biological and biochemical processes utilizing physics principles and techniques. He

is a professor of biophysics at King Saud University's Biochemistry Department in the College of

Science, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; the co- founder of MDT Canada Inc., and the founder of Child Life

Development Institute, Edmonton, Canada. He has authored Biophysics and Nanotechnology of

Ion Channels, Nanoscale Biophysics of the Cell, and Membrane Biophysics. He has also published

about 50 peer- reviewed articles and several patents, edited two books, and has been serving

on the editorial boards of Elsevier and Bentham Science journals. Dr. Ashrafuzzaman has held

research and academic ranks at Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, University

of Neuchatel (Switzerland), Helsinki University of Technology (Finland), Weill Medical College of

Cornell University (USA), and University of Alberta (Canada). During 2013– 2018 he also served as

a Visiting Professor at the Departments of Oncology, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology,

of the University of Alberta. Dr. Ashrafuzzaman earned his highest academic degree, Doctor of

Science (D.Sc.) in condensed matter physics from the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland in 2004.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• 1 Physical Understanding of Biological Systems: Past, Present, and the Future
• 2 Biophysics of Life
• 3 Stochasticity in Biological Systems
• 4 Biological Energetics
• 5 Biochemical Energetics
• 6 Biomolecular Machines
• 7 Forces and Motion in Biological Systems
• 8 Surface Biophysics
• 9 Biochemical Thermodynamics
• 10 Nucleic Acid Structure and Stability
• 11 Biophysics of Proteins and Proteomics
• 12 Physics Tools and Techniques in Bioimaging
• 13 Quantum Biophysics
• 14 Computational Biomodeling
• 15 Biophysics Tools in Bioinformatics and Genomics
• 16 Biophysical Economics
• Epilogue
• Index