Physical Biology

Physical biology combines principles from physics and biology to understand the fundamental physical mechanisms that govern the behavior of biological systems.

Types of Research

This research area seeks to identify and quantify the physical forces and principles that underlie biological processes, such as the mechanics of cellular and molecular structures, the transport of molecules within and between cells, and the dynamics of biological systems at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels. Physical biology is used to study a variety of biological systems, such as the cytoskeleton, DNA, proteins, and cell membranes. Researchers in this field use a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches to investigate the physical properties and behaviors of biological systems, with the goal of uncovering new insights into how living organisms function.


Focus Areas

  • Molecular biophysics
  • Multicellular systems
  • Cellular processes