I'm still in high-school, but I am considering biophysics after my military service. Would it make sense to major in physics, minor in biology, and minor in mathematics for the field ? What are your suggestions?

Does anyone have a good review article that talks about the type of cargo vesicles carry? Specifically vesicles inside the cell?

For a bit of context, I am working on a biophysics project in a physics department. We look at microtubule mechanics. In our presentations, we always use the famous "inner life of the cell" video where a kinesin motor is walking along a microtubule carrying a vesicle with "cargo". However, I am never quite sure what the "cargo" is. After looking for literature, I found some research on extracellular vesicles, but no good review of vesicle cargo and active transport within the cell.

Thanks!

Hello everybody, I'm a third year physics bachelor student in Europe and I'm planning to get into an English taught M.Sc. in Biophysics. So far there are a few good options: Rome (more theoretical inclined but with a few lab courses), EPFL Losanne (studies on Mitochondrial activity that seem interesting) , Barcelona, LMU Munich (DNA folding and origami), TUM Munich (this doesn't properly have a biophys English taught master, but an applied physics master which can be done with similar courses) (also saw Ulm University but I don't think it's really well known). I wanted to ask if some of you did a Ms.C. in Biophysics in Europe, where eventually you did it and if you have any advice/impressions on it. I'm hoping to get a good experimental formation, but at the same time not leaving the theoretical part aside (so something in between theoretical and experimental biophysics, all of the previous cited one mix well both this sides as it seems to me). Any advice and opinion is really welcome, I'm trying to structure my decisions and I surely haven't taken a lot into account and your experience could really offer good insights, so thank you in advance.

Hi, I am currently a junior who is a Biochemistry major and Math minor. I am specifically worried that my math background would be too weak to be competitive for PhD programs in biophysics.

By the time I graduate, I would have completed single variable and vector calculus, applied statistics, ODEs, and a semester of linear algebra. As for physics, by the time I graduate I would have completed introductory calculus based physics, a semester of physical chemistry, and a semester of a class called "physical and computational biochemistry". Again, I'm worried that the courses I have taken won't be enough to be competitive. I am set to graduate a semester early currently. I suppose I could take the extra spring semester to take more electives, but my issue is spending the money. Also, spring semester is after applications are closed, so what would even be the point?

I don't know, I'm a little worried. I definitely want to go down this path. But I'm worried that I will always be at a disadvantage. I am currently applying for biophysics/biomath REUs for this summer, but I'm also worried I won't be competitive for those either.

im trying to start studying physics as like a thing to broaden my knowledge and i was just looking for tips and do's and don'ts and some reasouces to help me get started if i could get some help it would be really appreciated

So I need to make a biophysics presentation based on an article, I have to choose one of these topics and talk about something interesting relating to these topics,

• membrane lipids
• surface tension and hydration
• thermodynamics 1 & 2

-proteins

• forces affecting conformation in biomolecules
• passive or active transport
• resting or action potential
• muscle contraction

I need something interesting and not just an overview of the topic, maybe experiments, problems and things like that.

Hi, I'm a Biology undergrad student in Europe. Last year, I started being very interested in math, and I've been reading some undergraduate-level material since. I've been straying further and further away from traditional, lab-only biology, and I've grown strong in my desire to go into higher-level-math-intensive biology-related fields in graduate school. Unfortunately, there are no such things as minors or associate's degrees here in Europe, and only auditing a math or physics degree wouldn't cut it. My degree's program has almost no math-related electives, and my university doesn't allow us to attend other degrees' subjects.

Being that it is the more theoretical side of biology that I want to go into -- think bifurcation theory, stochastic modelling for neuronal systems --, and that I'm also considering it just for the math, and not only for the opportunities it would bring in relation to biology: does it make sense to pursue a second degree in it? I'm interested in knowing your thoughts!

Does anyone have a pdf copy, or know where to find it, of Cellular and molecular biophysics by Jackson. Also other recommendations on biomacromolecules and biopolymer physics textbook or notes would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance :)

I have heard all about QFT, Comsolgy, Particles and everything else pop physics. Why do you find biophysics interesting and why did you choose to study it.

Hello everyone, (I have done the same question in the Quantum Computing sub but i think that this sub maybe could be more suitable for this topic)

I have developed an RNA folding algorithm using the QUBO formulation and optimized it via the D-Wave annealer. I applied it to simulate a microRNA (as the name suggests, it is indeed very small). This algorithm is my first project using this technology, and I do not yet fully understand certain aspects of the quantum environment.

1. If protein folding is considered a solved problem thanks to AlphaFold, why are some companies still using quantum technology in this area? (For my project, I referred to papers by Moderna and IBM).
2. I am trying to understand the advantages of using this formulation instead of other ones. (i would like if you could give me some paper about it and some insight about other quantum methods)
3. I would also like to understand how it is possible that a classical program (such as AlphaFold) can handle quantum aspects of the folding problem without incorporating any explicit quantum mechanisms. Additionally, I would like to ask if there is a specific reason behind the effectiveness of this system and whether there are any drawbacks that might make the use of quantum optimization methods a viable alternative.

Perhaps I am just apprehensive about AI, but I would greatly appreciate hearing the opinions of experts or others who work in this field.

(don t be too harsh with me i am just a first year Ms studenti in Quantum Engineering).

Thank you for your help!

Hello, I will soon graduate with a biomedical science degree and I am torn between choosing a molecular biology phd and a biophysics PhD. I have found biophysics PhDs that accept bio graduates. On one hand I love mol bio/biochem (PCR , DNA sequencing etc) and it's goal of understanding life at the molecular level. On the other hand I like biophysics because it has math and physics something that mol bio lacks.Also I would like to study the structure of nucleid acids and how it relates to their function. Moreover, compared to fields like systems biology biophysics has an expiremental component which is crucial for me. I want to study DNA , gene expression , cell biology and genetic engineering. Would I be able to work on these fields from a biophysics background?

My PhD was in theoretical biophysics. I created mathematical models and ran simulations for cell migration on flat surfaces. We applied many of our models to cells that were responsible for wound healing. These cells sensed direct current electric fields to find the location of the wounds.

For my first paper, we made a coarse grained model that coupled cell shape and velocity to predict how keratocytes (fish scale cells) migrate both in the presence and absence of an electric field. Keratocytes have very complex motion, such as persistent migration, oscillating, and persistent circular motion. Our model was able to reproduce this, which was exciting, and we conducted a lot of linear stability analysis, which revealed "phase transitions" where the cell would switch from one behavior to another. We were able to learn this as a function of the cell shape, the cell stiffness, velocity, polarity, etc.

For my second paper, we tried to answer the fundamental question of "how do cells sense electric fields?" This is not a simple answer. Much experimental evidence suggest that cells sense electric fields by concentrating transmembrane proteins (along eith other molecules) towards the direction of the electri field, triggering downstream responses. Using this as our starting assumption, we made a model to quantify the cells estimate of the direction (and magnitude) of the electric field. Assuming we have a round cell (circular or spherical), we used fluid dynamics and fokker planck theory to solve for the transport of molecules on the cell surface. Knowing the transport, we could figure out the distribution of molecules as steady state in the electric field (von Mises distribution). Using this distribution, we used Maximum Likelihood Estimation to estimate the direction of the electric field and we constrained the error on the estimate using the Fisher Information. We then fit our model to experiments to constrain some of our variables. One main takeaway is that round cells estimate the direction of the electric field by using the direction of its transmemberane proteins and taking the average of their locations as their estimate of the field location.

For my third paper, we extended this idea for elliptical cells. This was useful because some cells travel towards the electric field along their short axis, while others do vice versa. We learned that the preferred orientation of travel depends on the field strength and how the cell expands when in an electric field.

For my last paper, we are developing a generalized linear response theory for galvanotaxis and applying it to cells that are exposed to pulsed electric fields and alternating current fields.

I have noticed some nice papers in theoretical biophysics about how cells can sense electric fields (galvanotaxis). Does anyone work in this field? Seems exciting. I see papers on the physical limits of galvanotaxis and coupling cell shape to the theory as well.

I am currently a 3rd year physics major in the UK. I am interested in studying biophysics at a masters level as I have just written my dissertation on a biophysics related subject and enjoyed it a lot. I have concerns tho, in my head I feel like its more of a niche field with less jobs and I also want to be able to work after doing my masters instead of having to get my phd straight away. Are my concerns valid or not? Basically when I get my masters can I get a decent job and then later get a phd. Im not really concerned with doing academia and would just like to work in research labs or in industry.

My dissertation was on bacteria quorum sensing modelling and I really enjoyed it :)!

Hello!
I am looking for suggestion about good and exhaustive books about organic chemistry I think.

I am a physicist that is currrently doing a PhD on Molecular Simulation of Large Biocomplexes (mainly proteins, enzyme-ligand systems ... ).
I have already studied theoretical and pratical MD, so I would like to go deeper on the biological / chemical aspects,. Since my work is also finding interesting systems to study, I have difficulties on understanding these kind of mechanisms described in papers.
Can you suggest me ways of filling this gap of knowledge? Thank you

I’m an international student from India, pursuing my Masters in Paris. As part of the program i need to do an internship in biophysics. Does anyone have any recommendations?

In vitro fertilization might work better with some kind of MEMS device. Kind of like mechanical parts on an integrated circuit. Also, maybe more advanced camera, someways, somehow... Also, maybe touch sensors too in that integrated circuit... I don't know how or why, these are just some vague thoughts.

That MEMS device might be useful for something else (too)?

Hi, I'm a physicist by training and I'm currently doing immune system modelling as my master project. Since I have very little background in biology, I'm looking for a book that'd allow me to grasp the basics and get familiar with the terminology. Ideally, an undergrad immunology textbook including an overview of the basics and also more detailed sections that I could dive into if I need, but not assuming much knowledge in genetics or molecular biology. Do you have any recommendations? TIA

Hi all,

I am a premed student majoring in biochem who wants to spend a portion of my career pursuing research alongside clinical work. I have been with a biophysics lab for over a year, and am considering a physics degree because I really love this subject. I understand this is a difficult major to add though I have taken many physics courses and have performed very well and enjoy them a lot. As I am quite new to the field, I wanted to get your guys’ take on this decision.

Would it be worth it to major in physics to go deeper into this field? What is the potential for biophysics to help medicine in ways that biochem cannot, and are these possible developments worth investing significant time into? Lastly, is an undergrad degree in physics even enough to be a “biophysicist”?

If anyone has advice I would tremendously appreciate their time.

Any ideas for some project work in biophysics?

Hi team, I work in protein spectroscopy part-time and am interested in discovering new niche research areas in biophysics. I also want to learn machine learning as a skill in its own right. I want - killing two birds with one stone - to take a look at areas that combine the two.

A broad question - would anyone have any suggestions on up-and-coming, niche topics and areas that are being ignored in biophysics? Protein structure prediction is a huge one - but I'm more interested in the nooks and crannies of relatively unknown research areas :)

I’m a nursing student with goals of being a PMHNP. I love physics and would love to somehow work with it. I assume a minor isn’t enough for much and it would have a lot of direct relation. Any advice?

Hello,

I had a question, I am very fascinated with Biophysics and am really invested in a doing a PhD in the subject. But I am a undergraduate who is going to graduate with a B.S in Microbiology, will this hold me back from getting into a PhD program? Thank you:)

I have a PhD in Physics, but my work was in biophysics. I developed some mathematical models of calcium signaling in the context of wound healing.

I am currently a post-doc in a biology lab developing a mathematical model of brush border formation. Unfortunately, I recently found out my appointment is ending by the end of the year because my project hasn't been progressing fast enough. I need to find a new job by then.

I think I'm realizing that I really enjoy collaborating with others on modeling projects where I am helping answer someone else's questions. I just don't have as much of a desire to engage in my own research. In other words, I am more driven my by solving problems rather than trying to discover the problems I need to solve, if that makes sense.

Are there any jobs that exist where I can engage in mathematical modeling without being the "main person" in charge? Any positions I'm finding involve leading entire research projects.

Electrically charged antimatter, like bare positron, anti-proton or even a molecule consisting of antimatter atoms might be convenient to store inside specially formed molecules. Biomolecules can be convenient to make by using mRNA methods (the same made famous by vaccines) in cows and then taking that substance from cow blood or from some organ. Use the molecules as is or as scaffolding for other atoms, from uranium to lithium.

There might be strange extra reason to use the biomolecules as is. If panpsychism and "soul" (if that is a correct word in this context?) interface with normal physics by having some biomolecules react to electric fields in ways that normal physics does not predict, that same property might happen to make biomolecules better for storing antimatter.

The storage needs to be able to withstand at least acceleration of Earth's gravity without the antimatter falling to touch the matter. Antimatter can be used in spacecraft propulsion. Yes, it is fantastically difficult to make antimatter in useful amounts, but that is a discussion for another day.

What if the antimatter and it's container molecule are made so cold that their quantum states start to overlap like with bosen-einstein condensate?

It seems like there is a lot of controversy around this years nobel prize in physics. But I thought it was cool to see a biophysicist (Hopfield) win a nobel prize for what is in my mind unambiguously theoretical biophysics work (Hopfield networks)! Any thoughts?

So I am a Ontario highschool senior right now and I think I have narrowed my dream programs to be either the Biophysics specialist or Biochem specialist both at University of Toronto. I love biology, chemisty, and physics equally but I did the best in physics and really enjoy and think I am pretty good at math. First I was just wondering if I would be able to get into those two courses with my high 80s low 90s marks. Also what jobs lead out of each program. From what I've seen biochem is more pharmacy type stuff while biophysics is more the mechanical type stuff like hospital equipment. Im still wondering if i should take a chem or physics major to. The main thing i want to know it what jobs lead out of which program.