Physics in Molecular Biology [Hardcover]

Kim Sneppen (Author), Giovanni Zocchi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521844193 | ISBN-13: 978-0521844192 | Publication Date: October 17, 2005 | Edition: 1

Tools developed by statistical physicists are of increasing importance in the analysis of complex biological systems. Physics in Molecular Biology discusses how physics can be used in modeling life. It begins by summarizing important biological concepts, emphasizing how they differ from the systems normally studied in physics. A variety of topics, ranging from the properties of single molecules to the dynamics of macro-evolution, are studied in terms of simple mathematical models. The main focus of the book is on genes and proteins and how they build systems that compute and respond. The discussion develops from simple to complex systems, and from small-scale to large-scale phenomena. This book will inspire advanced undergraduates and graduate students in physics to approach biological subjects from a physicist's point of view. It is self-contained, requiring no background knowledge of biology, and only familiarity with basic concepts from physics, such as forces, energy, and entropy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Because physics is the fundamental science involved with all forms of matter, science students and academics should welcome this book by two researchers familiar with both physics and biology. Each chapter comes with references and suggestions for further reading. There is a very useful appendix on statistical physics. A glossary of biological terms and an index also come in handy. Excellent diagrams elucidate the analysis.”
Choice

Book Description

Physics in Molecular Biology discusses how physics can be used in modeling complex biological systems. The main focus of the book is on genes and proteins and how they build interactive systems. This book will inspire advanced students of physics to approach biological subjects from a physicist's point of view.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521844193
• ISBN-13: 978-0521844192
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,978,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short, but informative, April 1, 2009

By 

EB "EB" (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physics in Molecular Biology (Hardcover)

The book is short compared to the ones published in the same area of research, but it is quite informative and easy to follow. One can find most of the important concepts about polymer physics, but sometimes a secondary resource could be needed. Overall, it is worth the price.

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing New Tools to the Study of Biology, January 10, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Physics in Molecular Biology (Hardcover)

In recent years physicists have been developing a series of statistical tools that help them to understand how large groups of things operate. Even more recently some of these same techniques have begun to be applied to biological concepts and to the modelling of complex biological processes. The techniques use the standard physical concepts of force, energy, and entropy but apply them to life processes.

Dr. Sneppen is a professor of biophysics. He is a theorist who teaches on the physics of biological system and mathematical biology. Dr. Zocchi teaches biophysics at advanced undergraduate and graduate level at UCLA. This book is intended as a text for third or fourth year study in the physics department undergraduate school. It is written from the standpoint of the physicist and should serve as an introduction to the merger of the physical and biological sciences. Obviously some background in statistics and biology will help the student, but it is not required.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars hard to read, September 24, 2010

By 

Jordi (Barcelona, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Physics in Molecular Biology (Kindle Edition)

I was just browsing a sample on my kindle and this book is terribly hard to read. I am not referring to the content, many characters and sometimes whole words in the text are just impossible to read or too faint. A book in this condition would never be sold in any paper bookstore. Amazon should do something about it.