Single-Molecule Cellular Biophysics

Recent advances in single molecule science have presented a new branch of science: single molecule cellular biophysics, combining classical cell biology with cutting-edge single molecule biophysics. This textbook explains the essential elements of this new discipline, from the state-of-the-art single molecule techniques to real-world applications in unravelling the inner workings of the cell. Every effort has been made to ensure the text can be easily understood by students from both the physical and life sciences. Mathematical derivations are kept to a minimum whilst unnecessary biological terminology is avoided and text boxes provide readers from either background with additional information. 100 end-of-chapter exercises are divided into those aimed at physical sciences students, those aimed at life science students and those that can be tackled by students from both disciplines. The use of case studies and real research examples make this textbook indispensable for undergraduate students entering this exciting field.

1. Once upon a (length and) time (scale) …; 2. The molecules of life; 3. Making the invisible visible: part 1; 4. Making the invisible visible: part 2; 5. Measuring forces and manipulating single molecules; 6. Single molecule biophysics; 7. Molecules from beyond; 8. Into the membrane; 9. Inside cells; 10. Single molecule biophysics beyond the single cell and beyond the single molecule; Index.

Covering state-of-the-art single molecule techniques and real-world applications in unravelling the inner workings of the cell, this textbook is indispensable for undergraduate students in the physical and life sciences. Every effort has been made to ensure the text can be easily understood by students from both disciplines.

Mark Leake is a biophysics group-leader at Oxford University and Incoming Chair of Biological Physics at York University, heading an interdisciplinary team in live cell single molecule research using cutting-edge biophotonics and state-of-the-art genetics. His work is highly cited and presented worldwide, in addition to his chairing several international meetings. He has won many fellowships and prizes and in 2010 was the winner of the Young Investigator Award from the British Biophysical Society. He sits on three national committees including the Institute of Physics, the British Biophysical Society and the Royal Microscopical Society, aiming to nurture exceptional collaboration between life and physical sciences in the pursuit of research excellence.