Opportunities in Biophysics

Biophysics, an abbreviation of biological physics, is the integration and application of the principles of physics to explain and explore the form and function of living things. Principles of physics have been used to explain some of the most basic processes in biology such as osmosis, diffusion of gases, and the function of the lens of the eye in focusing light on the retina. Biophysicists use the methods of mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology to study how living organisms work. They investigate how the brain processes and stores information, the heart pumps blood, muscles contract, plants use light in photosynthesis, genes are switched et al. Biophysicists are especially interested in the physics and physical chemistry of biological processes. The properties of biological molecules and groups of molecules that convey their structure, dynamics, electrical properties and so forth, can be understood in terms of familiar physical and chemical laws.

Biophysics began in the 19th century when the principles of Newtonian physics were applied to the biological sciences. The understanding that living organisms obey the laws of physics as non-living systems do has had profound effects on the study of biology. The discovery of the relationship between electricity and muscle contraction by Italian physician and physicist Luigi Galvani initiated a field of research that had continued to give information about the nature of muscle contraction and nerve impulses. It has led to the development of instruments and devises such as the electrocardiograph, electroencephalograph and cardiac pacemaker. Medical technology in particular has benefited from the association of physics and biology. Medical imaging with 3-D diagnostic techniques such as computer tomographic (CAT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have permitted researchers to look inside living things without disrupting life processes. Today, lasers and x rays are routinely used in medical treatments.

The various sub topics of Biophysics include Molecular Biophysics, Membrane biophysics, Membrane structure and assembly, Bioenergetics, Biological fluorescence,  Theoretical biophysics, Mathematical biophysics, Cellular Biophysics, Systems biology, Medical biophysics, biomechanics, radiation biophysics, neurobiophysics, plant biophysics, Agrophysics, Origin of Life.

Techniques used in biophysics

Biophysicists use methods and instruments designed by physicists and physical chemists. Imaging techniques as well as electron microscopy, x-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are often used to visualize structures of biological significance. Conformational change in structure can be measured using techniques such as dual polarisation interferometry and circular dichroism. Direct manipulation of molecules using optical tweezers or AFM can also be used to monitor biological events where forces and distances are at the nanoscale. Biophotonics, Biosensor and Bioelectronics, Calcium imaging, Calorimetry, Cryobiology, Electrophysiology, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Neuroimaging, Neutron spin echo spectroscopy, Patch clamping are other techniques in vogue.

Biophysics education and research in India: Sir JC Bose was the first Indian Biophysicist. His major contribution in the field of biophysics was the demonstration of the electrical nature of the conduction of various stimuli (wounds, chemical agents) in plants, which were earlier thought to be of a chemical nature.  He also studied for the first time action of microwaves in plant tissues and corresponding changes in the cell membrane potential, mechanism of effect of seasons in plants, effect of chemical inhibitor on plant stimuli and effect of temperature. Another great Indian biophysicist G.N. Ramchandran is famous for Ramchandran plot which is an elegant visual representation of secondary protein structure. Both of these scientists were Institution builders as well. JC Bose founded Bose research Institute at Kolkata whereas GNR established Department of Biophysics in university of Madras. Another biophysicist Govindjee an alumni of Allahabad university is famous for his research on photosynthesis. There are many institutes in India which conduct research in Biophysics. However there are only a handful of Institutes which offer graduate and post graduate education. An indicative list includes

University of Mumbai (B.Sc. Biophysics)

University of Madras (B.Sc. & M.Sc. Biophysics)

Punjab university (B.Sc., M.Sc. & MD Biophysics)

Manipur  university (B.Sc. Biophysics)

AMU (MD Biophysics)

AIIMS(MD Biophysics & M.Sc. Biophysics)

GNDU (MD Biophysics)

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam Kerala, (M.Sc. Biophysics)

Punjabi University (MD Biophysics)

University of Kalyani (M.Sc. Biophysics)

University of Delhi, Delhi

Mangalore University: Faculty of Science, Mangalagangothri (Karnataka )
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University: Department of Biochemistry (M.Sc. Biophysics)

Career opportunities: The applications of Biophysics are quite significant in biochemistry, nanotechnology, bioengineering and systems biology but its range of research is quite vast which include topics like structural biology or enzyme kinetics etc. The discoveries of biophysicists have a broad impact on biotechnology and medicine. Biophysicists work in universities, industry, medical centers, research institutes and government. A job as a Biophysicist requires high end skills because it involves handling of sensitive instruments. Work of biophysics research is increasing rapidly in India and there is a tremendous shortage of researchers in this field. Thus the job scene in India is extremely good for a biophysics graduate. Indian interest in Biophysics got impetus with the recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry being shared by Venkatraman Ramakrishnan a biophysicist of Indian origin working in Cambridge. Ramakrishnan shared the Nobel Prize with  American Thomas Steitz and Israeli Ada E. Yonath all of whom independently analysed different parts of ribosomes, key units of the cell that allow DNA to begin protein formation and thus all bodily processes, at a chemical level.