Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

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.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

In this module the knowledge of statistical physics is developed, with a particular attention to modern aspects involving interacting systems and critical phenomena.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

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.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

The student must acquire a deep knowledge and understanding of the statistical physics of interacting systems and of its methodologies, and must become able to solve models in this domain, using exact or approximate analytical approaches.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

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

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

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

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

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).

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

1. Statistical physics Review: canonical and grand-canonical ensembles, non-interacting systems (10 hours). The Ising model: introduction and exact solutions in one dimension and on the fully connected graph (10 hours). Mean-field approximation (10 hours). Beyond mean-field approximation: Bethe-Peierls and belief propagation (5 hours). The two-dimensional Ising model: Peierls argument, low- and high-temperature expansions, free energy in zero field on a square lattice. The two-dimensional XY model at low temperatures (15 hours). An introduction to the real-space renormalization group (10 hours).

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

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.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

Frontal lectures, using mainly blackboard. 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.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

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.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

M. Plischke and B. Bergersen, Equilibrium statistical physics, World scientific R.K. Pathria and P.D. Beale, Statistical mechanics, Academic Press L. Peliti, Statistical mechanics in a nutshell, Bollati Boringhieri J.P. Sethna, Entropy, order parameters and complexity, Clarendon Lecture notes and slides will be provided.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

Slides; Dispense;

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

Dispense;

E' possibile sostenere l’esame in anticipo rispetto all’acquisizione della frequenza

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria;

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria;

Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

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Statistical physics and biophysics (Biophysics)

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.

Statistical physics and biophysics (Statistical physics)

The exam is based on an oral test. The test typically involve questions on 2-3 topics, the first one being chosen by the student. The knowledge of statistical physics and its methodologies is tested by asking the student to derive proofs of the main results. The ability to solve models is tested by asking the student to compute partition functions or thermodynamical observables for models of interacting systems.

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.