New Quantum-Enhanced Microscopy Unveils Cellular Force Secrets
Researchers at HKU Engineering develop a breakthrough cellular force imaging technique using a diamond-based quantum sensing microscope. The project, led by Professor Zhiqin Chu from…
Biophysics News
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies the principles and methods of physics to understand how biological systems function at every level, from atoms and molecules to cells, organisms, and ecosystems. It integrates concepts from fields like quantum chemistry, thermodynamics, and mechanics to study the structure and behavior of biological molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Biophysicists use tools such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the structures of biomolecules and their dynamic interactions. They also employ computational models and simulations to predict how changes in structure affect function. This approach is fundamental in developing pharmaceuticals, understanding disease mechanisms, and exploring the physical underpinnings of biological processes. Biophysics is pivotal in advancing fields such as neurobiology, ecology, and genetics by providing a quantitative framework to study complex biological systems.
The Secret to Fast Muscles: It’s All in the Fluid Dynamics
University of Michigan researchers have discovered that water flow within muscle fibers greatly influences their contraction rates, challenging traditional understandings of muscle mechanics and potentially…
Trailblazers in Genetics: Researchers Chase the Cure for Rare Hereditary Diseases
The dynamic structure of FLVCR proteins and their role in nutrient transport within our cells have been revealed. It is known that malfunctions of the…
A Breakthrough in Protein Genetics: Scientists Unveil How Pseudogenes Evolve
Rice University’s Peter Wolynes and his research team have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the evolution of specific genetic sequences known as pseudogenes. Their…
Challenging Biologists’ Understanding: New Research Suggests Cells Possess Secret Communication System
New study reveals that ion gradients across cell membranes create a network for swift cellular decision-making, separate from DNA. Cells constantly navigate a dynamic environment,…
Mystery Solved: Scientists Uncover Origins of Enigmatic Swirling Movements in Some of Nature’s Largest Cells
New research conducted by scientists at the Flatiron Institute has uncovered the origins of enigmatic swirling movements in some of nature’s largest cells. Egg cells…
Unlocking the Mysteries of Protein Folding With Advanced Microscopy
Researchers have advanced the understanding of membrane protein dynamics by studying bacteriorhodopsin (bR) with innovative methods combining atomic force microscopy and light triggers. When it…
Scientists Discover Surprising Link Between Physical and Social Worlds
A biophysical chemist from Rutgers and their older sibling, a political scientist at Berkeley, explore shared concepts. A biophysical chemist at Rutgers and his brother,…
Breaking the Brain-Muscle Barrier: Scientists Discover Hidden Neural Network-Like Abilities of Self-Assembling Molecules
We tend to separate the brain and muscle – the brain does the thinking; the muscle does the doing. The brain takes in complex information…
DNA Repair at Light Speed: Unraveling the Mystery With TARDIS
University of Bonn researchers devise method to speed up observations of high-throughput microbiological process. Being able to observe micro-organisms and their cellular components is key…
The Isotope Effect: Bigger Than Science Ever Imagined
In a recently published study, researchers at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB) at Karolinska Institutet have questioned the old paradigm surrounding isotopes…
Stranger Than Friction: An Invisible Force Initiating Life
Scientists examine how friction forces propel development in a marine organism. As the potter works the spinning wheel, the friction between their hands and the…
The Future of Biology: Decoding Cell and Tissue Mechanics in 3D With Active Matter Theory
Open-source supercomputer algorithm predicts patterning and dynamics of living materials and enables studying their behavior in space and time. Biological materials are made of individual…
Brain’s Recycling System: Researchers Unlock the Secret to Neuron Renewal
Groundbreaking Discovery in Brain Cell Research Researchers at Auburn University have achieved a groundbreaking discovery, illuminating the process by which brain cells efficiently replace older…
Neurons Decoded: The Universal Workflow Powering Brain Insights
The Blue Brain Project introduces a universal workflow for creating and validating neuronal models using open-source tools. Biophysically detailed neuronal models provide a unique window…
Microscopic Masterminds: The Structural Genius of Bacteria
A new model demonstrates that chasing interactions can induce dynamical patterns in the organization of bacterial species. Structural patterns can be created due to the…
From Atoms to Organisms: “Assembly Theory” Unifies Physics and Biology To Explain Evolution and Complexity
“Assembly Theory,” a pioneering theoretical framework bridging physics and biology, offers transformative insights into biological evolution and its place within universal physical laws. With applications…
DNA Danger: Physicists Expose Fat Droplets’ Hidden Threat
Fat serves as an essential component of the human body, functioning not only as an energy storage and release mechanism but also playing pivotal roles…