What are the key steps to becoming a biophysicist?

[Darshil_IITB]

I am currently a 2nd year UG student pursuing B.Tech in Engineering Physics at IIT Bombay. What are the various sub-topics of physics that are used by a biophysicist? Percentage wise, how much physics is exactly there in biophysics? Where should I start from if I want to become a biophysicist?

 

[Medicol]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophysics
Look at Focus As A Subfield

Specializing in only one field in there will be boring to some people so they decide to specialize in all of them especially to areas that always invoke mental activities to new solutions and designs (e.g computer simulations for biophysical applications, algorithm designs, pharmaceutical research or drug designs, qualitative and quantitative approaches in biological and chemical research, uhmmm am I still missing something ?...uhmm Yes quantum is newer than others but I don't think a lot of people are entering the field ).

 

[Andy Resnick]

I am currently a 2nd year UG student pursuing B.Tech in Engineering Physics at IIT Bombay. What are the various sub-topics of physics that are used by a biophysicist? Percentage wise, how much physics is exactly there in biophysics? Where should I start from if I want to become a biophysicist?

Since you are still an undergrad, I recommend taking courses in statistical mechanics, thermodynamics and anything that covers electronics and spectroscopy (both optical and NMR). I also recommend some courses in chemistry, especially orgranic.

 

[Arsenic&Lace]

I am currently a 2nd year UG student pursuing B.Tech in Engineering Physics at IIT Bombay. What are the various sub-topics of physics that are used by a biophysicist? Percentage wise, how much physics is exactly there in biophysics? Where should I start from if I want to become a biophysicist?

Statistical mechanics, as has already been mentioned, is the most important.

The amount of physics in biophysics varies. My group is closer to biochemistry in some ways. We take a set of specific proteins, and we would like to learn more about how they function, which is a biological/biochemical question. A different group on my floor works on, among other things, phenomenological problems regarding optical spectroscopy and biomolecular solvents, which smells more like physics.

The two most "physicisy" types of biophysics I can think of are either the study of photosynthetic proteins, which involves sophisticated quantum mechanics, or sampling problems, which sounds quite boring, but in fact involves extremely sophisticated statistical physics. Some people who work on non-equilibrium statistical physics, which is an unfinished field of physics, also work on non-equilibrium methods of biophysical simulation.

Non-equilibrium statistical physics can even get pretty esoteric:
http://www.theory.physics.manchester.ac.uk/~ajm/mv04.pdf

EDIT: Lest we forget, protein folding is still an unsolved problem. Note that even if a biophysical problem doesn't involve much esoteric physics, it will still involve extremely non-trivial computational problems which keep things very interesting indeed.

 

[Matrix0]

I am glad to see your interest in biophysics. It is a fascinating field that combines principles of physics and biology to study the physical processes and mechanisms in living organisms.

To become a successful biophysicist, you need to have a solid foundation in both physics and biology. Some of the key sub-topics of physics that are used in biophysics include mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and statistical mechanics. These concepts are applied to study biological systems at various levels, from molecules and cells to tissues and organisms.

The amount of physics involved in biophysics can vary depending on the specific research area and project. However, it is safe to say that a strong understanding of physics principles is essential for any biophysicist. I would estimate that approximately 50-60% of biophysics is based on physics concepts.

To start your journey towards becoming a biophysicist, I would recommend taking courses in physics, biology, and related fields such as chemistry and mathematics. It is also important to gain hands-on experience in a laboratory setting by participating in research projects or internships. IIT Bombay has a strong biophysics research program, so you can explore opportunities within your university as well.

In addition, networking with other biophysicists and attending conferences and seminars can help you gain insights into the latest developments in the field and connect with potential mentors and collaborators. Overall, a combination of academic knowledge, practical skills, and passion for the subject will pave the way for a successful career in biophysics. Best of luck in your journey!