Exploring the Intersection of Biochemistry and Physics in Health Research

[Senrab]

Hi, I'm a sophomore in college right now, pursuing my B.S. in biochemistry. However, I'm taking calc-based physics II right now and I really love physics (plus I'm pretty good at it). I want to do research related to biochemistry and health for a career, and I would like to know what physics topics might be useful to learn for this.

 

[Andy Resnick]

Thermodynamics, no question.

 

[PieceOfPi]

Try biophysics; it looks pretty fun.

http://www.biophysics.org/

I'm not so sure if there are a lot of undergraduate biophysics courses, you can probably learn about topics that often arise in biophysics. I'm not a physicist, so I can't tell you what those topics are, but I would recommend you to Google search this field.

 

[czelaya]

There are several books on biophysics and physical biochemistry (the application of physical chemistry to biochemical systems). If you want to understand how physics can be applied to chemistry/biochemistry, a course in physical chemistry does this pretty well. Matter of fact, one of my professors is a theoretical chemist who specializes with models dealing with biochemical systems. He uses ab initio, molecular dynamics, density functional theory, charge density studies, and x-ray crystallography in understanding the underlying physical properties to biochemical systems.

There is so much overlap between physical chemistry, chemical physics, biophysics, and physical biochemistry that it's becoming harder to differentiate the fields apart.

 

[rezeew]

That's great to hear that you are pursuing both biochemistry and physics! These two fields have a lot of overlap and can complement each other in many ways. In terms of specific physics topics that may be useful for research in biochemistry and health, there are a few areas that come to mind.

Firstly, understanding the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics can be very useful in studying biochemical reactions and processes. This can help in understanding the energy changes and rates of reactions involved in metabolic pathways, for example.

Secondly, topics in biophysics such as protein structure and dynamics, membrane biophysics, and molecular interactions can also be highly relevant to biochemistry research. These can provide insights into the structure and function of biomolecules and how they interact with each other in biological systems.

Additionally, knowledge of optics and spectroscopy can be beneficial in studying the properties of biomolecules and their interactions with light. This can be particularly useful in techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, which are commonly used in biochemistry research.

Overall, having a strong foundation in physics can be valuable in understanding the underlying physical principles that govern biological systems and processes. I would suggest exploring these and other related topics in your coursework and possibly seeking out research opportunities that combine both biochemistry and physics. Best of luck in your studies and future research endeavors!