ABSTRACT
Biophysics is a young field, inherently interdisciplinary, and covers a wide range of research topics. A biophysicist may be interested in the physics behind the folding of proteins, long molecules that arrange themselves into complex structures and that participate in nearly every process within cells. Or the physics of colloids and other objects dispersing through liquids and gels – with the right modifications they can self-assemble into crystals or nano-scale machinery. Or the physics of the cytoskeleton, tubules, and filaments that function as scaffolding within cells to maintain their shape and structure. To ensure survival, most animals that are able to move must be proficient in finding a healthy and sustaining food source while avoiding more toxic environments. For example, an animal uses its olfactory system to sample the surrounding air for chemical cues, detects changes in chemical concentration, and moves either up or down a concentration gradient.
