Biophysics applies the laws and methods of physics to the study of biological systems. It has only recently emerged as a subdivison of physics and as such, it represents one of the most specialized area of study in physics.

Its range of applicability is broad and seeks to gain understanding of every aspect of the biological world. Major areas of current interest are very diversified and include: bioenergetics, biophysical theory and modeling, cell biophysics, membrane, muscle and contractility, nucleic acid research, photobiophysics, imaging and supramolecular assemblies.

Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish among biochemistry, genetics, biophysics, chemistry, and all the other sciences investigating biological phenomena since these almost always involve an overlap of approaches and conceptualizations. What is then the contribution of physics to biophysics? First, biophysics is responsible for the development of new methods of investigation to address the mechanisms of biological processes at every...