User:Jih24/sandbox

I'm planning on adding a simulations section

Johns Hopkins University The goal of molecular biophysics is to explain biological phenomena in terms of the physical and chemical properties of participating ions and molecules.

This rapidly evolving field draws from the rich interactions that have developed among the traditional areas of chemistry, biology, physics, genetics, computer science, and others.

The Program in Molecular Biophysics is for students who are interested in the integration of diverse disciplines toward greater understanding of living matter.

Researchers in the program combine the power of modern spectroscopic methods and computational approaches to unravel the determinants of self-assembly in biological systems.

Others use the tools of chemistry and structural biology to probe the physical bases for molecular recognition and guide the design of new and better drugs to treat debilitating diseases.

Still others focus on fundamental aspects of solution thermodynamics and refine the description of biological macromolecules in their cellular environment.

What criteria have to be met in order to be considered molecular biophysics? (answer this question) Has to integrate math, physics, specific instrumentation with interactions.

Criteria: Derivative calculus, integral calculus, matrix algebra, statistics, differential equations, relate to the biological field. Math can be used for analysis as well as for predictive properties for what will happen in the future.

molecular biophysics - structural biologists look at the structure. Physical chemistry cell- signalling cell trafficking Translation transcription Enzyme metabolism (catalysis) Electrophysiology

Looking at the functionality (or interaction between 2 specific objects) specifically makes it biophysics. Myosin light chain kinase Sphincter is constricting Determining the macroscopic function, by looking at the constituent parts. Differs from engineering, because biophysics is more analysis, whereas engineering is more inventive.

Need to examine the dynamics in order to determine the function.

Difference between structure and dynamics. Can use biochemical analysis which focuses on the diachotamus relationship of whether something is there or not Gel analysis is a specific test used to determine the presence or absence of a certain substance.

Molecular Structure (single molecules) Structural Organization (Supramolecular structures) Dynamic Bahavior (Viruses/small living systems)

Molecular Simulations
Because we have quantum mechanical models of atoms, we can perform simulations via programs such as CHARMM and NAMD which will enable us to see how the constituents in molecular systems will interact with each other.

[insert picture with simulation which was made by the user]