Quantitative Understanding of Biosystems: An Introduction to Biophysics

Praise for the prior edition

"The author has done a magnificent job… this book is highly recommended for introducing biophysics to the motivated and curious undergraduate student."
―Contemporary Physics

"a terrific text … will enable students to understand the significance of biological parameters through quantitative examples―a modern way of learning biophysics." ―American Journal of Physics

"A superb pedagogical textbook… Full-color illustrations aid students in their understanding" ―Midwest Book Review

This new edition provides a complete update to the most accessible yet thorough introduction to the physical and quantitative aspects of biological systems and processes involving macromolecules, subcellular structures, and whole cells. It includes two brand new chapters covering experimental techniques, especially atomic force microscopy, complementing the updated coverage of mathematical and computational tools. The authors have also incorporated additions to the multimedia component of video clips and animations, as well as interactive diagrams and graphs.

Key Features:

• Illustrates biological examples with estimates and calculations of biophysical parameters.



• Features two brand-new chapters on experimental methods, a general overview and focused introduction to atomic force microscopy.



• Includes new coverage of important topics such as measures of DNA twist, images of nanoparticle assembly, and novel optical and electron nanoscopy.



• Provides a guide to investigating current expert biophysical research.



• Enhanced self-study problems and an updated glossary of terms.

Thomas Nordlund is professor emeritus in the Department of Physics at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He joined as faculty after earning his PhD in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with postdoctoral work done at the Biozentrum der Universität Basel and the University of Rochester. He is an elected fellow of the American Physical Society and has been studying biomolecular dynamics for over thirty years.

Peter M. Hoffmann is a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where he founded the biomedical physics program. He is the author of the popular science book, Life’s Ratchet. He has been involved in soft matter and biophysics research for twenty-five years, and earned his PhD in materials science and engineering from Johns Hopkins University.