Physics Colloquium - Fall 2007 - Fluctuations and Self-organization in Biological Systems in Meso-scale
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Presents
Dr. Wokyung Sung
Professor of Physics
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Currently at Divison of Engineering and Department of Physics, Brown University
Fluctuations and Self-organization in Biological Systems in Meso-scale
One of the most important trends of physics research that emerges in this century is physical approach to biology. Biology may provide novel materials, even revolutionary paradigms for physics at large. Due to weak electrostatic interactions and connectivity, biological systems viewed on nano-scale are susceptible to thermal fluctuations, and cooperative to external biases and noises. First, I will talk about the soft-condensed matter nature of biological systems in meso-scale and relevant statistical physics description. Then I describe how the nature utilizes the diverse fluctuations therein and their couping to bring about self-organization for biological functions, exemplifying biopolymer translocation, membrane fusion, DNA bubble formation, and blood flow, which we have studied.
Friday, October 12, 2007
3:10 pm
140 Bennett Hall
Refreshments will follow in Rm. 114, Bennett Hall
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