Course abstract

The application of physical principles to biological systems is an exciting and rapidly evolving feld of research. Methods of equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical physics, stochastic processes, non-linear dynamics and polymer physics, among others have helped understand the guiding principles of a variety of biological processes. In this course, we will attempt to provide an introduction to the physics of biological systems using theoretical tools, with examples from diverse areas of biology such as pattern formation, low Reynolds number fows, cytoskeleton and motors and transport in cells, gene expression and chromatin organisation, among others.