Nanobiomechanics in Biology

3 Units

This course will elucidate the forces at play at the level of proteins including those associated with mass, stiffness, viscosity, thermal and chemical factors. Basic polymer mechanics within the context of biological molecules will be covered and structures of key proteins associated with mechanical functions, such as actin, myosin and the cell membrane will be explained. Generation of force by polymerization of filamentous proteins as well as motor proteins will be included. Interaction forces between proteins, DNA/RNA mechanics will also be elucidated. Besides lectures, there will be term long project assignments (outreach-based or detailed literature survey on a subject associated with nanomechanics of cells/proteins). Recommended Preparation: Mechanics of Materials, Thermodynamics, Statics, Introductory Level Differential Equations, Introductory Level Fluid Mechanics.