General understanding of the mechanics of cells, relationship between mechanical structure and cellular function.
Students will also understand the origin and functional role of electrical currents within and between cells, especially in connection with the electrophysiology of neurons.
Mathematical descriptions both in terms of mechanical models and statistical methods will be applied and become a part of the "toolbox" of the student.

• Reproduce simple mechanical model to describe cellular structures.
• Describe structure and biophysical properties of simple cell membranes and membranes with ion channels
• Explain the dynamics of the most common ion currents across cell membranes
• Reproduce simple mechanical models for mobility in and of cells
• Understand and describe common models for nerve signal propagation and synaptic transmission
• Formulate models of iontransport through cell membranes based on experimental results
• Calculate passive electrical properties of cell membrane
• Formulate and apply membrane equations to determine active electrical properties
• Extract relevant information from scientific research literature and reformulate it for an overview presentation

The cytoskeleton and its constituents. Polymerphysics applied to cytoskeletal polymers. Structure and shape of neurons. Advanced electrophysiology. Signalling of nerve cells.

"Foundations of Cellular Neurophysiology" by D Johnston and S M-S Wu. MIT Press.
ISBN 0-262-100053-3
Excerts from "Mechanics of the Cell" by D. H. Boal (Cambridge University Press)

The course caters to students of (bio)physics or biology with a wish to understand the mechanical and electrophysiological actions of cells, and the coupling between mechanics/structure and function.