Lecture, three hours; discussion, two hours. Requisites: Chemistry 153A, Life Sciences 2, 3, 4, and 23L, or 7A, 7B, 7C, and 23L, Physics 5A, 5B, and 5C, or 6A, 6B, and 6C. Search for information in biological research has traditionally focused on genes and biochemical pathways. While physical aspects of cell biology are critical in physiology and disease, they have received so much less attention in research. For example, mechanical properties of cells determine how physical forces alter gene expression and can signal transformation in physiological state of cells, such as in malignant transformation. Exploration of cell biophysics in health and disease from basic physical principles that underlie structure and organization of cytoskeleton to role of cell deformability in diseases such as cancer. Use of articles from primary literature regarding current research. Letter grading.
