Objectives

The objective of the programme is to deepen our understanding of the physical workings of bio-macromolecules and their aggregates. Within its scope are both the properties of single, isolated biomolecules as well as their aggregates formed either by spontaneous or driven processes up to the scale of the cell. The first aim of the programme is progress towards a fundamental understanding of the physical function of biomolecules, viewed as nanometer sized dynamic machines. The second aim is to explore the possible uses of bio-macromolecules in the development of novel nanoscale hybrid devices. The programme will serve as a focus for the existing and emerging research community in the Netherlands in this expanding field.

Background, relevance and implementation

The life sciences are undergoing a rapid development with more and more focus on the microscopic details of life, exemplified by the genomics revolution. This development is also putting demands on the physics community. On the one hand more and more physical techniques are employed in the study of biological systems, on the other hand a detailed physical understanding of biological systems is becoming conceivable which poses new and challenging problems. The physics of bio-macromolecules is focused on a quantitative understanding of their dynamic function and behaviour in a cellular context and is based on knowledge of their chemical structure and interactions. At the same time the molecular processes of life, optimised by evolution, can be studied with a view towards the development of novel nano- or micronscale technical devices with tailored properties for applications also outside the biological or biomedical domain. The physical study of these systems requires therefore input from several disciplines.

Organizational data

Programme documents

• Programme proposal
  
• FOM strategy document Physics of Life Processes (in dutch)