This book gives an introduction to molecular biophysics. It starts from
material properties at equilibrium related to polymers, dielectrics and
membranes. Electronic spectra are developed for the understanding of
elementary dynamic processes in photosynthesis including proton transfer
and dynamics of molecular motors. Since the molecular structures of
functional groups of bio-systems were resolved, it has become feasible
to develop a theory based on the quantum theory and statistical physics
with emphasis on the specifics of the high complexity of bio-systems.
This introduction to molecular aspects of the field focuses on solvable
models. Elementary biological processes provide as special challenge the
presence of partial disorder in the structure which does not destroy the
basic reproducibility of the processes. Apparently the elementary
molecular processes are organized in a way to optimize the efficiency.
Learning from nature by means exploring the relation between structure
and function may even help to build better artificial solar cells.
The reader is exposed to basic concepts in modern biophysics, such as
entropic forces, phase separation, potential of mean force, electron and
proton transfer, heterogeneous reactions, coherent and incoherent energy
transfer as well as molecular motors. Basic knowledge in classical and
Quantum mechanics, electrostatics and statistical physics is desirable.
Simplified models are presented which can be solved in limited cases
analytically from the guiding lines to generate the basis for a
fundamental understanding of the more complex biophysical systems.
Chapters close with challenging problems whose solutions are provided at
the end of the book to complete the pedagogical treatment in the book.
To the second edition several new chapters were added. The medium
polarization is treated self-consistently using basic elements of
polaron theory and more advanced nonlinear Schrödinger equations to
describe the dynamics of solvation. Ion transport through a membrane was
extended by the discussion of cooperative effects. Intramolecular
transitions are now discussed in the new edition in much more detail,
including also radiationless transitions. Very recent developments in
spectroscopy are included, especially two-dimensional and hole-burning
spectroscopy. The discussion of charge transfer processes was extended
by including recent results of hole transfer in DNA in connection with
the super-exchange mechanism. The chapter on molecular motors was
rewritten to include the most recent developments of new models.
The book is a useful text for students and researchers wanting to go
through the mathematical derivations in the theories presented. This
book attracts a group of applied mathematically oriented students and
scholars to the exciting field of molecular biophysics.
