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DYNAMICS AND STATISTICS OF (BIO)MOLECULAR SYSTEMS
This interdisciplinary course is for: i) graduate students in chemistry, biochemistry, engineering and related areas, interested in understanding basic physics models and experimental techniques used to study biological phenomena; ii) graduate physics students interested in an in-depth, quantitative understanding of statistics and dynamics of complex systems. Classes are highly interactive: Starting from intuitive, picture-driven descriptions, students will be closely guided to build quantitative descriptions of biomolecular systems, linking theory to state of the art experimental techniques in a step-by-step process. You will master the dynamics and statistics of many-particle systems, understand why water is essential to life, how physical models explain the behavior of biomolecules, including cooperativity and spontaneous order formation. You will learn the latest experimental techniques (single molecule vs ensemble), the scientific principles behind them, and how to use them to discriminate between different physical models.
Initiatives and centers
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Center For Biological Physics
The Center for Biological Physics at ASU conducts research into biological phenomena using the tools and methodologies of physics. Our interests span biomolecules, systems biology and cellular dynamics. Our faculty have expertise in a wide range of experimental, theoretical and computational methods. We collaborate widely on both basic and applied research questions — from the fundamental principles of life, to translational research in biomedicine. We have a vibrant interdisciplinary environment, centered in a dedicated and interactive physical space in the physical sciences building. Center For Biological Physics
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BioXFEL
Biology with X-ray Free Electron Lasers is a consortium established in 2013 of eight U.S. research universities that addresses fundamental questions in biology at the molecular level. Using a recently-invented pulsed hard X-ray laser, our researchers can capture biological molecules in atomic detail, view their functional motions by taking brief snapshots, and observe interactions in their native environment. This opens up a new world to biology, to science, and to human health.
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Cosmology Initiative
The Cosmology Initiative at ASU bridges the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the Physics Department, two academic units in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and represents a major new national program. In the next few years, we anticipate building to over 20 faculty members whose research activities include experimental, observational and theoretical cosmology, creating one of the broadest and deepest cosmology programs in the country. In true ASU spirit, our top-notch research and teaching programs are matched by our vibrant outreach activities under the banners of the Beyond Center and the ASU Origins Project.
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John M. Cowley Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy
As a global leader in high resolution electron microscopy, ASU plays an important role characterizing critical properties of materials. This facility houses a dozen electron microscopes that can probe the physical, electronic and chemical structure of matter on an atomic scale. Instruments and techniques include Ion Milling; Electron Microprobe; Scanning Electron Microscopy; Transmission Electron Microscopy; Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy; and Aberration Corrected Electron Microscopy.
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LeRoy Eyring Center for Solid State Science
The LeRoy Eyring Center for Solid State Science was established in 1974 on the premise that researchers at Arizona State University should have open access to sophisticated techniques for materials characterization. The center supports materials research across a broad range of scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biological sciences, geology and engineering.
Research highlights
Biological Physics: Moving electrons through proteins on microseconds
Dr Daniel Martin working in the Matyushov group has recently took advantage of one of the fastest high performance supercomputers (Anton, D. E. Shaw) to look at electron tunneling in proteins. Membrane-bound bc1 complex is one of the key elements of biology’s energy production chain in mitochondria of animals and photosynthetic centers of bacteria. Longer than 10 microseconds of fully atomistic computer simulations have allowed for the first time to study the protein's low frequency motions driving electron transfer. A broad range of fluctuations, spanning from picoseconds to microseconds, affects the transition. Surprisingly, slow motions, in the range 0.1-1.6 microseconds turned out to be particularly important. This work recently appeared in the J. Chem. Phys. 142, 161101 (2015).
Physics Courses
Whether you’re a physics major or looking to fulfill your quantitative science requirement, we offer a variety of stimulating courses that encourage critical thinking and problem solving, while helping you understand how everything around you works.
Undergraduate Advising
Our advisors can help you choose classes, understand degree program requirements, and stay up to date on university and department policies and procedures. Meet with an advisor on a regular basis to ensure you’re on track.
Our Faculty
Our nationally recognized faculty are members of prestigious science organizations and are published in leading scientific journals. They conduct innovative research in various aspects of physics, and their acclaimed work has elevated ASU’s position as a premier institution.
Recent news
ASU physicist receives Fonda-Fasella Award
January 26, 2016
ASU physics professor Richard Kirian has been awarded the Fonda-Fasella prize, which is given to a young researcher who has obtained important results while working at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, aninternational research center located in Italy.
Cambridge-bound grad values connections with ASU mentors
May 9th, 2016
Aditya Dhumuntarao, a Barrett, the Honors College student who will be graduating in May with dual bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physics, has earned top honors in both majors. He earned the top award for an undergraduate in each mathematics and physics — the Charles Wexler Mathematics Prize, and the Outstanding Physics Undergraduate Award.
Department of Physics Spring 2018 CLAS Dean's Medalist Robert Lee
March 29, 2018
After obtaining my BS from the ASU Physics department, I will be attending The University of California at Santa Barbara to get a PhD in physics. Using the tools that I have gained from my research experience at ASU, I will be conducting research on experimental high-energy physics. Specifically, I will become part of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) with the hope of revealing physics beyond the current Standard Model. Ultimately, I will pursue an academic professorship so that I can continue to conduct research on the frontier of human knowledge while sharing what I've learned with new generations of budding scientists. Thanks to the research and teaching experience that I've gained with ASU, I feel fully prepared to contribute to the scientific community throughout the rest of my life!
