Biological Physics at BU
Biological Physics seeks to understand living systems using the experiment-theory approach of physics. Biological physicists determine how the complexity of life emerges from the interactions of many heterogeneous components. At BU, we investigate phenomena from the sub-molecular scale to that of whole ecosystems. Given the inherently interdisciplinary nature of biological physics, we often collaborate with groups in other departments, including Biomedical Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, and Electrical & Computer Engineering.
Research
- W.M. Keck Laboratory for Network Physiology | Understanding basic mechanisms of physiologic control and addressing the fundamental question of how organ systems dynamically interact and collectively behave as a network to produce health or disease
- Boston University Biological Design Center | Investigating the underlying design logic of biological systems
Faculty
Physics Faculty
- Shyamsunder Erramilli | Biological Physics
- Plamen Ch. Ivanov | Analytic and Computational Methods for Dynamical Systems Integration
- Maria Kamenetska | Nano-materials, single molecule techniques, biophysics
- Kirill Korolev | Mathematical Models for Population Dynamics
- Joseph Larkin | Microbial Populations
- Pankaj Mehta | Biological and Statistical Physics
- Andrei Ruckenstein | Bio and Statistical Physics
Affiliate Faculty
- Irving Bigio (Biomedical Engineering) | Minimally-Invasive Research-Oriented and Clinical Tools
- Ji-Xin Cheng (Electrical & Computer Engineering) | Molecular Spectroscopic Imaging Research
- Qiang Cui (Chemistry) | Multi-scale Models for Biological Physics
- Jerome Mertz (Biomedical Engineering) | Biomicroscopy
- Daniel Segre (Biology) | Dynamics and Evolution of Metabolism
Recent Highlights
2026: Maria Kamenetska selected as a Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigator.
Seminars and Community
Applied Stat Mech Seminar: Wednesdays at 3:30pm-5pm, SCI 352