This module discusses applications of statistical physics to biological systems, in particular biopolymers. To this end, basic elements of kinetics of phase transitions and molecular biology are also introduced.

The student must acquire some basic elements of molecular biology and must learn to apply the techniques of statistical physics to some problems from the equilibrium and nonequilibrium physics of biological systems, mainly in the field of biopolymers.

Mathematical analysis, general physics, quantum mechanics, probability theory.

Kinetics of phase transitions: thermodynamics of interfaces, metastability and classical nucleation theory, domain coarsening, phase ordering with or without conservation laws (12 hours). Introduction to molecular biology: the cell; small molecules; proteins and nucleic acids. (4 hours). Stretching a single DNA molecule: experiments, the Freely Jointed Chain, the one-dimensional cooperative chain, the worm-like chain (10 hours). DNA melting: experiments, zipper model, Poland-Scheraga model (7 hours). The helix-coil transition. Polymer collapse: Flory's theory. Collapse of semiflexible polymers: lattice models and the tube model. The self-avoiding walk and the O(n) model. (6 hours). An introduction to protein folding and design. RNA folding and secondary structure. Protein and RNA mechanical unfolding (15 hours). Molecular motors (6 hours).

Frontal lectures, using mainly slides for discussing biological facts and experimental results, mainly blackboard for discussing models and solving problems. Problems are proposed after completing each topic and then solved after a few lectures, so that students have time to try and find their own solutions.

K. Sneppen and G. Zocchi, Physics in molecular biology, Cambridge P. Nelson, Biological Physics, Freeman B. Alberts et al, Molecular biology of the cell, Garland Lecture notes and slides will be provided.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

... The exam is based on an oral test. The test typically involves questions on 2-3 topics, the first one being chosen by the student. The ability of the student to apply the techniques of statistical physics to problems from the physics of biological systems is tested by asking to discuss models of biopolymers and the relationship of their predictions to phenomenology.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.