Experimental Biophysics

In a nutshell, Biophysics is the interface between Biology and Physics. This interdisciplinary topic aims to tackle unanswered biological questions from the perspective of a physicist, often using laws and tools well established in physics-based research labs. Biophysical research techniques have been around for a while (e.g. the discovery of DNA in 1953 with X-ray crystallography), but new ones are emerging all the time. More recently, the pioneers of cryo-electron microscopy won the Nobel prize in Chemistry. This lecture series will introduce a range of experimental biophysics techniques (both old and new) and present examples of their applications. Methods covered will include: advanced light microscopy, miniaturised technology (microfluidics), spectroscopy (fluorescence, absorbance), cryo-EM, x-ray crystallography, micropipettes, optical tweezers, AFM, and synthetic biology (biomimetic lipid vesicles).

Please contact Dr Robinson to register for the course. The course will be online.