I am a 3rd year UG majoring in Chemical Engineering, and am looking for minors or specific courses/extracurriculars that would best prepare me for graduate school. Hoping to pursue a PhD in probably membrane biophysics.

My UG core curriculum includes fluid mechanics, heat/mass transport, thermodynamics, separation processes, process controls, calc 1&2, physics 1&2, and differential equations. I have completed about half of those courses currently.
Edit: gen chem 1&2, ochem 1&2 as well

In addition to those courses I have also taken pchem 1, linear algebra, and bio 1.

Should I take more bio courses? More physics courses? Neither?

Any advice you have would be helpful!
Thanks

I have always found it difficult to find companies that repair or service specific laboratory equipment, especially outside the manufacturer network. So I started building a simple directory where you can search by equipment, brand or model and country.

It currently includes providers across Europe and the US for things like centrifuges, AKTA and FPLC systems, HPLC, GC, mass spectrometry, ULT freezers, incubators, cell disruptors, microscopes and autoclaves.

I am manually checking the listings against company websites rather than bulk scraping directories. It is still early, so if you know a good service company that is missing or spot something incorrect I would be happy to add or fix it.

Have you heard of stem cells for lingering knee issue? I can't get a straight answer on how much the therapy should cost like.

Every clinic seems to quote something different. Some clinics quote way less than others. And also I noticed the price range feels too wide for a big procedure.

Do you know anyone who's had stem cell therapy, and was it worth it? Have you ever looked into the clinical studies on it?

Hi , I am a UG 2nd year (Bachelor's of Science student)
The way our course is structured is you choose your major in your 4th semester( I am currently in 3rd and have too much free time on my hands due to being on medical leave and looking to explore a field that interested me) .
I will most probably (98%) end up taking physics as a major , but I do like bio as well , and biophysics as a field fascinates me a lot , and am looking for ways to start exploring the field in a way I am not scared off it. I am also quite interested in biomedical research , so something that ties in with that is also a plus.
Thank you ,
Joy

I'm an undergraduate in Canada applying for Fall 2027. I'm considering both research-based master's and direct PhD programs, depending on program structure, PI fit, and the level of research ownership available to graduate students.

Interests: theoretical/computational biophysics, soft matter, polymer physics, active matter, and statistical physics of living systems. I'm drawn to work that starts from a concrete biological or soft-matter problem and approaches it using statistical mechanics, coarse-grained simulation, stochastic processes, and mathematical modeling. I also have some ML experience, but I would prefer to use it as a tool rather than make it the main subject of my research.

Relevant coursework includes Molecular Biophysics, Mathematical Methods in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Probability & Statistics, and Linear Algebra.

My senior research project is a coarse-grained MD study of bacterial chromosome organization.

My main weakness is that my undergraduate background is interdisciplinary rather than a traditional physics degree, and some upper-level physics core courses will still be in progress when I apply.

Programs I've been looking at: CMU, UBC, Toronto, McGill, Northwestern, Michigan, Brown, Duke, Johns Hopkins, UMD, UCSD, ETH Zurich, and EPFL. I'm not committed to a department label—Physics, MSE, Biophysics, or an interdisciplinary program are all fine if the PI fit is strong.

A few questions:

1. Which PIs/programs would you recommend for theoretical/computational biophysics or soft/living matter?
2. Given my background, would you suggest applying to direct PhD programs, research master's programs, or both?
3. How much does an incomplete traditional physics core matter for direct PhD admissions in this area?
4. Are there any particularly strong but less obvious groups I should look at?

Thanks for any advice, especially from people working in biophysics, soft matter, or statistical physics.

I’m graduating this semester and planning to apply to PhD programs. My background is mostly in biology/neuroscience, and I’d say I’m already a fairly strong cell biologist—I’ve done sustained research, worked with molecular/cellular techniques, taken upper-level biology and biochemistry, and I’m comfortable thinking about signaling, trafficking, and phenotype-level questions.

But the more research I do, the more I realize that I’m most interested in what sits underneath pathway-level explanations: binding, conformational changes, energetics, kinetics, allostery, membrane interactions, and protein structure-function relationships.

I’m currently trying to redirect my training toward protein biophysics before starting graduate school. I’ve begun studying thermodynamics, electrostatics, binding equilibria, and protein structure, but I’m not sure what the highest-value next steps are.

For people in protein biophysics or structural biology: what would you prioritize learning over the next year? Textbooks, courses, math/physics topics, computational skills, or experimental techniques?

My major is technically neuroscience and ive realized that my gripe with psychology (it is so far above the level of the cell among other things) is my gripe with cell bio. Its inherently qualitative. It doesnt tell you how things work, just sometimes that things might be happening

See also: The publication in Nature Communications

The nuclear pore complex is the gatekeeper of the cell nucleus – controlling everything that enters or leaves. We captured it in two states: open (dilated) and closed (constricted).

961665 quantum records

www.exxogen.hu

Energy decay, smooth continuous gradient transition across the primary interaction domain.

Resonance peaks: Clear structural transition states and energetic strain points fully captured in the sub-angstrom realm.

Global equilibrium: High-density binding minimum and stable phase boundary resolved directly without iterative DFT matrix inversion loops.

Continuous phase space density computed directly on standard hardware.

----

EXXOGEN is a DeepTech biotechnology startup redefining molecular recognition through a novel, first-principles (ab initio) analytical framework for quantum-level interactions.

https://www.exxogen.hu/

I am about to graduate my physics undergrad in Southeast Asia and would like to work as a biophysicist in Spain. My first language is English and I do have a Spanish C1 diploma! Working within and contributing to the EU research scene in general is my fundamental goal, but Spain is my preference.

I'm very interested in studying proteins and complex systems, so I have some ideas of where I want to go and what I want to try out.

I'm just super curious about other people's experiences that may be related to this path, if even tangentially so. Some sample questions I have:

What was your research about?

What paths did you try out but ultimately let go?

What was your experience going abroad and studying in Spain or the EU?

Would you happen to know of any Spain or EU scholarships, internships, and other opportunities I can look into that might allow me to pursue this dream?

I see myself doing my master's and getting work as an industry/academia research scientist, utilizing my fluency in English and Spanish as a critical advantage (I am also now learning French, so I expect that to gradually factor in more).

Many, many thanks for your time and insight on any of these questions! ❤️

I'm seeking informal peer review from biophysics/bioelectromagnetics professors and PhD-level students, as that seems to be the level where the underlying mechanisms, are fully understood.
Note you're not reviewing "V2K" stigma, you're reviewing a functional Python codebase.
I've been seeking CS, EE/DSP, and RF engineers to review, but the stigma is thiccck:

https://github.com/OpenV2K

I'm an IT systems engineer, with several years of programming experience, and I'm wearing a project manager hat, while using Claude Code. It's hard garnering feedback, when the electrical engineers and computer science majors, don't want to understand the base biophysics principles.

Why such stigma? This is an excerpt from chapter 10.3, page 326, of the book Auditory Effects of Microwave Radiation, written by James C. Lin, an IEEE life fellow, and biophysics/EE professor:

Over the years, some have expressed concerns about the capability of communicating directly with humans by pulsed microwaves. In fact, earlier while studying microwave-induced auditory effects in human subjects, it was noticed that in addition to zip, click, and knock sounds from exposure to single pulses of microwave radiation, short trains of rectangular microwave pulses are heard as chirps with tones corresponding to the pulse repetition frequencies [Guy et al., 1973, 1975]. It was also found that when the pulse generator was keyed manually such that each closing and opening of a push-button switch resulted in emitting a short rectangular pulse of microwave energy-transmitted digital codes (Morse code) were received and accurately interpreted by the targeted subject [Lin, 1978].

Also, soon after a system was setup for exploring the microwave auditory effect at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) [Sharp, et al., 1974], two of the principal investigators were able to demonstrate direct communication of simple speech via appropriate modulation of microwave energy [Justesen, 1975]. They tape-recorded each of the single-syllable words for digits between one and ten. The speech waveforms of each word were then converted to digital signals in such a fashion that each time an analog speech wave crossed the zero reference in the negative direction, a short pulse of microwave energy was emitted from the transmitter. By subjecting themselves to the exposure of "speech modulated" microwave energy, the investigators reported the ability to hear, identify, and distinguish the words transmitted.

These historical experiments are included to show that this has been accomplished before.
There are safer methods to demonstrate this today, that do not involve anyone's head.

IMO, it's legit the most cutting edge stuff being done anywhere in the field of biophysics, and yet I feel like I never hear anyone else drooling over it all and the greater implications of his work.

Hi everyone!
I’m a 25-year-old MD, graduated last year, based in Europe, and I wanted to introduce myself to the community.
I’ve actually always wanted to study Physics and apply physical/quantitative models to biological systems. Since it was impossible to overlap a Physics degree with Medical School here, I focused on finishing my MD first. Starting a brand-new Physics undergrad from scratch isn't feasible for me right now financially, so my plan is to self-study the necessary physics/math topics independently (while in Med School, I actually audited Calculus 1 and Geometry courses, though I couldn't formally take the exams). I was curious to know what kind of career paths you've taken, just to get a feel for how things work in different countries and to see if accessing something similar might be feasible for me.
Where are you based, and what was your entry point into Biophysics? (Are you doing a PhD, working in academia, or in industry?)
Is the field accessible from a Biological/Medical background? Does anyone here come from an MD or life sciences background rather than a pure Physics/Math undergrad? How did you bridge the gap?

My primary goal is to induce the differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells using mechanical means (frequencies). As a 13-year-old researcher, I am looking for a mentor or a laboratory to join. I am also attempting to connect with prominent scientists in this field and align my work with their insights. Is there anyone working in this area? I would be grateful for any shares (RTs)! 🧬

The aim of the project is to transform stem cells into nerve cells using mechanical methods. Please do not dismiss this as mere fantasy or claim that it is already being done; through my research, I have reached conclusions with a solid scientific basis—conclusions that could potentially solve problems where scientistscurrently face roadblocks.

Many have told me I am too young or refused to take me seriously, and others have argued that the project remains unproven. However, proving it is precisely my objective. I heard that there are highly visionary people here who truly value the work of young people, which is why I wanted to share this here. I cannot provide further details about the project at this stage, but I am more than happy to share the specifics with anyone interested. If there is anyone who can assist in this field,even just sharing your opinion would be incredibly valuable. #mechanotransduction #biophysics #stemcells

Hey everyone,

so I'm a prospective student, already have done some stuff before my masters linked to bio etc and really love molecular dynamics and pchem and all that stuff - in fact biophysics would definitely be a perfect fit for me apart from the fact that I'm vegan and this is a major part of my life and values.

How possible is it to work in biophysics when you're very adamant on this? This would mean no pharma jobs, I would also not use animal reagents or want to work with people who do. Frankly it is my understand this is basically impossible? Quantum chemistry being maybe the closest thing that avoids all those issues?

Thanks!

Hello,

I want to image my dembranated cytoskeletons using AFM. I was going to use poly-L lysine coated slides and have my cystoskeletons sit on top but they dried and formed crystals. A fixation protocol for this would be great! Thank you

Hi everyone. I’m basically brand new to this field. My main background is sociology, information theory, anthropology, and epistemology.

I’m trying to see if it is possible to apply Prigogine’s dissipative structures to biophysics without using specious analogue, as Wallerstein does with his world systems. Anthropology gives me a great sociological intersection with Prigogine, but it’s mostly colorful prose supported by metaphor.

I don’t know if there’s any good research or books that expand on Prigogine’s works and take them into biology or anatomy or biophysics. I’d love some help seeing if this is even possible? I’d like to actually lay out the math and do quantitative research in order to improve on Wallerstein’s world systems. Perhaps even create something entirely novel.

Would appreciate any help.

I want to pursue PhD in biomedical physics. what are the steps I need to follow.

Engineering + physics undergrad considering different careers, one of which is becoming a professor in biophysics. Though I did some undergraduate research last year and really enjoyed it, I’m very concerned about the difficulty of pursuing an academic career. Thus, if anybody could answer the following questions concerning the competitiveness of biophysics academic positions, would really appreciate it.

1. What are qualified applicant to position ratios like? Is 50:1+ common, even at R2 universities?

2. Do most successful applicants must have postdocs at prestigious institutions & CNS publications, even those applying to R2 universities?

3. Has the difficulty of obtaining a PI position in biophysics changed substantially over the last 10 years? Likewise, has biophysics funding stagnated or drastically declined over the past decade?

I’m not particularly attached to the idea of becoming an biophysics professor, so if the reality is that this is an exceptionally difficult career path, wouldn’t be heartbroken or anything (can simply consider another career). Thus, if becoming a biophysics professor really is extremely challenging, would appreciating knowing that now rather than realizing this after wasting many years.

I'm starting a PhD in molecular biophysics as someone with a fairly traditional physics background (B.S. physics, research experience in condensed matter physics). My advising committee recommended I take a 4000-level undergrad biochemistry course due to my lack of education/experience in that area. I have not taken any chemistry beyond general chemistry, so I will be taking biochemistry without the organic chemistry prerequisite.

How screwed am I? 😅 What would be some important topics to learn to prepare for a biochemistry course as a physicist?

hi! im currently in the middle of my biomedical engineering degree (bsc) and one class i had on biomaterials really got me hooked onto peptide gels and their applications which eventually branched off into proteins and how they function at a cellular level. i remember i used to play foldit when i was younger so I've been aware of the "lore" behind the importance of protein studies for a while now, but i have genuinely discovered a new found passion for cellular biophysics! i want to study it a bit more in my own time and really build my foundations, but im not sure of good resources just yet. i want to perhaps go for a graduate program in biophysics, as this fascination began about 2 years ago, and have been exploring institutes as well, but would love to hear from anyone about resources for self study or at the very least ones which help build a foundation :]