Natural Science:

The natural sciences seek to understand how the world and universe around us works.
There are five major branches: astronomy, physics, chemistry, Earth science, and
biology.
What are the 5 natural sciences?
Biology (Botany, Zoology, Microbiology), Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, Physical),
Physics (Classical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics), Earth Sciences
(Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography).
What is Biophysics?
Biophysics is the field that applies the theories and methods of physics to understand
how biological systems work.
Biophysics has been critical to understanding the mechanics of how the molecules of
life are made, how different parts of a cell move and function, and how complex
systems in our bodies—the brain, circulation, immune system, and others— work.
Biophysics is a vibrant scientific field where scientists from many fields including math,
chemistry, physics, engineering, pharmacology, and materials sciences, use their skills
to explore and develop new tools for understanding how biology—all life—works.

Biophysicists work to develop methods to overcome disease, eradicate global hunger,

produce renewable energy sources, design cutting-edge technologies, and solve
countless scientific mysteries. In short, biophysicists are at the forefront of solving age-
old human problems as well as problems of the future.

Data Analysis and Structure

The structure of DNA was solved in 1953 using biophysics, and this discovery was
critical to showing how DNA is like a blueprint for life.
Now we can read the sequences of DNA from thousands of humans and all varieties of
living organisms. Biophysical techniques are also essential to the analysis of these vast
quantities of data.

Computer Modelling
Biophysicists develop and use computer modeling methods to see and manipulate the
shapes and structures of proteins, viruses, and other complex molecules, crucial
information needed to develop new drug targets, or understand how proteins mutate
and cause tumors to grow.

Molecules in Motion
Biophysicists study how hormones move around the cell, and how cells communicate
with each other. Using fluorescent tags, biophysicists have been able to make cells glow
like a firefly under a microscope and learn about the cell’s sophisticated internal transit
system.
Neuroscience
Biophysicists are building computer models called neural networks to model how the
brain and nervous system work, leading to new understandings of how visual and
auditory information is processed.

Bioengineering, Nanotechnologies, Biomaterials

Biophysics has also been critical to understanding biomechanics and applying this
information to the design of better prosthetic limbs, and better nanomaterials for drug
delivery.

Imaging
Biophysicists have developed sophisticated diagnostic imaging techniques including
MRIs, CT scans, and PET scans. Biophysics continues to be essential to the
development of even safer, faster, and more precise technology to improve medical
imaging and teach us more about the body’s inner workings.
Medical Applications
Biophysics has been essential to the development of many life-saving treatments and
devices including kidney dialysis, radiation therapy, cardiac defibrillators, pacemakers,
and artificial heart valves.

Ecosystems
Environmental biophysics measures and models all aspects of the environment from the
stratosphere to deep ocean vents. Environmental biophysicists research the diverse
microbial communities that inhabit every niche of this planet, they track pollutants
across the atmosphere, and are finding ways to turn algae into biofuels.
Where Do Biophysicists Work?
Biophysicists are teachers and researchers in biology, physics, engineering, and many
other fields. They work in universities, hospitals, tech startups, and engineering
companies developing new diagnostic tests, drug delivery systems, or potential biofuels.
Biophysicists develop computer models to find out why a new flu strain eludes the
immune system or they make 3D models of new protein structures to better understand
how they work. They practice law in specialized fields like intellectual property, write
about science for print and online publications, and work in government to advise
legislatures. Those who are trained in biophysics have unlimited career possibilities.
What are the main branches of biophysics?
The main branches of biophysics are bioacoustics, bioelectricity, bioenergetics,
biomechanics, medical physics, biooptics, and many others.
What is an example of biophysics?
Examples are fluid dynamics of blood flow, gas physics of respiration, radiation in
diagnostics/treatment and much more. Biophysics is taught as a preclinical subject in
many medical schools, mainly in Europe.
History of Biophysics
Key developments in the emergence of biophysics include:
1. X-ray diffraction was used to determine biomolecular structures starting in the
1930s.
2. Alan Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley’s work on neural signaling applied
electrophysiology to neurons in the 1940s.
3. First atom-level biomolecular structures were obtained through NMR
spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography in the 1960s-70s.
4. Advancements in fluorescence microscopy enabled single-molecule biophysics
in the 1980s.
5. Improved computational power enabling molecular dynamics simulations starting
in the 1970s and expanded use in the 1990s.
6. New biophysical techniques like atomic force microscopy, superresolution
microscopy, and DNA origami developed in the 1980s-90s.
7. The rise of nanotechnology and systems biology spurred the interdisciplinary
growth of biophysics from 2000 onwards.
8. Branches of Biophysics
9. There are several major branches within biophysics that focus on different levels
of biological organization. Here are three main branches of biophysics.
Molecular Biophysics
Molecular biophysics seeks to understand biology at the molecular scale. This branch
focuses on studying the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of biological
molecules like proteins, DNA, RNA, and lipids.
Key concepts in molecular biophysics include molecular interactions, intramolecular
forces, conformational changes, and thermodynamics.
For example, researchers may use techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR
spectroscopy, and single-molecule imaging to study molecular structure and folding.
Other areas of research include molecular motors, self-assembly, and molecular
machines. Insights from molecular biophysics have been instrumental in drug design
and nanotechnology.
Cellular Biophysics
Cellular biophysics examines the physical nature of cells and processes like transport
across cell membranes, cell motility, and signal transmission. Important concepts
include the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, active transport, and mechanotransduction.
For instance, biophysicists investigate how motor proteins generate forces for muscle
contraction and cargo transport within cells.
Other examples include studying how cells sense mechanical forces and convert them
into biochemical signals, and how electrical signals propagate along nerve cells.
Understanding the biophysics of cells aids in developing treatments for diseases and
conditions related to cellular function.
Systems Biophysics
Systems biophysics aims to understand biological phenomena at the level of whole
organisms, populations, and ecosystems. It applies principles like thermodynamics,
network analysis, and non-linear dynamics to study emergent properties of living
systems.
For example, researchers may develop biophysical models of heart rhythms, patterns of
neuronal firing, or collective behaviors in groups of organisms.
Other topics include bioenergetics, biomechanics, neurophysics, and applications of
physics in ecology and evolution. Systems biophysics provides insights that
complement findings from molecular and cellular biology.
Biophysics is a highly interdisciplinary field that applies concepts and methods from
physics to study biological processes and systems. Some key areas that fall under the
realm of biophysics include:
Structural biophysics – Determining the physical structure and dynamics of biological
molecules like proteins and DNA using techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR
spectroscopy, and single-molecule studies.
Biomechanics – Analysis of mechanics and motion in biological systems including cells,
tissues, organs, and organisms.
Medical biophysics – Applying physics to medicine, including medical imaging
techniques (MRI, CT, PET scans), radiation therapy, and developing diagnostic and
therapeutic technologies.
Neurophysics – Studying the physics behind neural signaling, computation in the brain,
and the connections between neural networks.
Computational biophysics – Using computational modeling and simulation of
biological systems to determine their physical mechanisms.
Single-molecule biophysics – Manipulating and studying individual biomolecules
using advanced microscopy and laser techniques.
Ecological biophysics – Applying biophysical principles to understand ecosystems
across multiple scales and levels of complexity.
Applications of Biophysics
The interdisciplinary nature of biophysics allows it to make important contributions
across a wide range of fields. Applications of biophysics include:
1.
In all of these areas, biophysics provides a unique perspective to help advance
technologies and address scientific questions relevant to health, environment, and
society. The field will continue finding new applications as biological physics and
engineering continue converging.
What Do Biophysicists Do?
Biophysicists use physics principles and techniques to study biological questions. Their
day-to-day work involves designing experiments, collecting data, analyzing results, and
developing theoretical models. They may collaborate with biologists, chemists,
engineers, and medical researchers. Some common activities include:
Using imaging techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR, or electron microscopy to
determine molecular structures
Developing computer simulations of biological processes and systems
Designing and performing single-molecule experiments using lasers, AFM, optical
tweezers, etc.
Analyzing the mechanics and motility of cells and cellular components
Measuring the electrical conductivity, capacitance, and inductance of biological samples
Developing sensors to detect biological molecules and analyze properties like binding
affinity
Applying principles of physics to study topics in neuroscience, physiology, ecology,
paleontology, and more
Publishing research and presenting findings at scientific conferences and meetings
Biophysicists enjoy applying quantitative approaches to explore the frontier of biological
sciences. Their fundamental research provides the foundation for many medical and
technological innovations.
Areas of Biophysics
Biophysics is incorporated into many diverse areas of biology. Some research topics in
biophysics or involving biophysics include:
Membrane biophysics: the study of the structure and function of cell membranes,
including the ion channels, proteins, and receptors embedded within them.
Computational/theoretical biophysics: using mathematical modeling to study biological
systems.
Protein engineering: creating and modifying proteins to advance synthetic biology. Often
used to advance human health in the form of new disease treatments.
Molecular structures: biophysics studies the molecular structures of biological molecules
including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids.
Mechanisms: using physical mechanisms to explain the occurrence of biological
processes. Some physical mechanisms include energy transduction in membranes,
protein folding and structure leading to specific functions, cell movement, and the
electrical behavior of cells.