This course equips students with the foundational tools to explore how biological systems are physically structured and how their internal machinery produces function. Combining theoretical modeling with practical examples, students will investigate how physical and mechanical principles govern living matter at the cellular and subcellular scale. By the end of the course, students will be able to: • Describe the physical and mechanical properties of fundamental biological structures such as protein aggregates, filament networks, membranes, organelles and other subcellular structures. • Analyse how cellular components interact to support functions like motion, force transmission, sensing, and adaptation. • Characterise the behaviour of cells, tissues, and organs in both physiological and pathological conditions from a biophysical and mechanical perspective. • Understand the principles of biological machines and molecular motors, and their integration into cellular processes. • Interpret how structural constraints and physical forces influence biological information processing and emergent properties such as coordination and consciousness. • Apply analytical tools to predict the behaviour of biological systems under varying physical and biochemical conditions. • Develop independent thinking and learning strategies through structured self-assessment exercises and case-based tutorials. • Improve written and oral communication skills through presentations, discussions, and written assignments on biomechanical design problems.

Basic knowledge of the basics of engineering with particular attention to physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, mechanics, materials science. The lecturer will fill specific background gaps by ad hoc lectures if needed.

The course will cover the following core topics:  Introduction to Living Systems o Physical principles of life o Key molecular and cellular processes  Biophysics and Mechanics of Subcellular Structures o Mechanics of biopolymers and cytoskeletal elements o Mechanics of lipid membranes and compartmentalization o Molecular and biological machines: structure, energetics, and function  Introduction to Mechanobiology o Mechanical structure and dynamic remodeling of the cell o Mechanosensing and mechanotransduction o Mechanical regulation of cell behavior: growth, migration, differentiation, and apoptosis o Physical models of force generation, tension homeostasis, and structural feedback  Special Topics (via seminars and discussions) o Neuromechanobiology: system structure, dynamics, and sensory function o Physical principles of perception o Emergent physical models of consciousness

The course combines theoretical lectures with guided problem-solving sessions to foster both conceptual understanding and practical modeling skills. • Lectures will introduce and discuss the fundamental principles of cellular and molecular biomechanics, with frequent interdisciplinary references to physics, biology, chemistry, and engineering. • Classroom exercises will involve analytical problem solving and numerical examples, guided by the instructor at the board, to apply theoretical models to real biological systems. • Case-based seminars or discussions may be included to explore specific biological or clinical phenomena through the lens of biomechanical reasoning and to stimulate scientific curiosity.

The teacher will provide all the course material (slides and lecture notes). Suggested textbooks: Tuszynski, J.A., 2008. Molecular and cellular biophysics. Chapman & Hall/CRC. Boal, D., 2001. Mechanics of the Cell. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511810954

Exam: Written test;

The final exam consists of a written test with both theoretical and numerical questions. Questions are weighted based on complexity: 1 point for theory, and 2 to 3 points for applied problems. The maximum raw score is 34, and a final score above 31 corresponds to the top grade (30 cum laude).

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.