Biophysics

This branch supports studies that apply techniques and principles derived from the physical sciences to examine structures and structure-function relationships in biology. Areas of emphasis in biophysical research include (a) the development and application of physical and theoretical techniques to biological problems from the molecular to cellular level of organization, and (b) the application of engineering science and technology to the development of improved methods of measurement and analysis for physiological and biomedical research. Of interest are new applications of established techniques and modifications to, the modification of existing instrumentation to yield improved resolution, sensitivity, or accuracy. Central problems include the fundamentals of molecular properties and interactions; relationships between sequences and molecular structures, dynamics, and functions; assembly and mechanism of supramolecular structures including cellular membranes, cytoskeleton, and viruses; and discovery of ways to selectively influence biological processes based on these structures. Primary research funded in this branch is from investigator-initiated applications.

Structure model at 3.43 A resolution of the TRPV1 channel in complex with capsazepine, determined in lipid nanodiscs by single particle cryo-electron microscopy from PDB entry 51SO.
Structure model at 3.43 A resolution of the TRPV1 channel in complex with capsazepine, determined in lipid nanodiscs by single particle cryo-electron microscopy from PDB entry 51SO. Labs of David Julius and Yifan Cheng at UCSF. Nature 534, 347-351 (16 June 2016). Acknowledges NS support of DJ and GM R01, P01, and P50 support as well as HHMI support of Y.C.
Artist's rendering of HIV membrane enveloped capsid and its components reflecting typical stoichiometry of assembled virion.
Artist's rendering of HIV membrane enveloped capsid and its components reflecting typical stoichiometry of assembled virion. Courtesy of David Goodsell.
Crystal structure of bacterial RNase P ribonucleoprotein in complex with tRNA and in the presence of the 5'leader which is cleaved from the pre-tRNA substrate through the catalytic activity of this ribozyme.
Crystal structure of bacterial RNase P ribonucleoprotein in complex with tRNA and in the presence of the 5'leader which is cleaved from the pre-tRNA substrate through the catalytic activity of this ribozyme. Nature 468, 784-789, 2010. Lab of Alfonso Mondragon.
Atomistic simulation of ion conduction through a K+ channel embedded in lipid bilayer surrounded by explicit water.
Atomistic simulation of ion conduction through a K+ channel embedded in lipid bilayer surrounded by explicit water. Published in Nature. 2001. From Benoit Roux web site. Used to calculate free energy surface governing selectivity of ion conduction filter.

Program Areas

Biophysics of Membranes and Membrane Proteins

Biophysics of Nucleic Acids and Nucleoprotein Complexes

Biophysics of Proteins
Folding, Interactions, Structure, Dynamics & Mechanisms

Biophysical Studies of Supramolecular Complexes

Biophysical Studies of the Viral Life Cycle

Molecular Modeling, Theory, and Design

Funding Opportunities, Research Resources, and Items of Interest

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For more information about biophysics programs, contact:

Paula Flicker, Ph.D.
Chief, Biophysics Branch
Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
National Institutes of Health
45 Center Drive MSC 6200
Bethesda, MD 20892-6200

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This page last updated on 02/19/2026 8:25 AM