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Biophysics

There are many open questions in biophysics, especially regarding how to simulate and engineer complex biomolecular matter—such as the intricate networks found in tissues and neural systems. By developing advanced data collection techniques that capture spatial and temporal dynamics, implementing precise control mechanisms to modulate key variables, and deliberately narrowing the design space to focus on the most critical parameters, we can better simulate, control, and engineer complex biological systems.

R&D Gaps (7)

Some Proteins Are Still Recalcitrant to Experimental Structure Analysis

Biophysics
Membrane proteins are notoriously difficult to analyze experimentally and to incorporate into technological applications due to their inherent insolubility in aqueous environments. Their recalcitrance limits our capacity to study their structure and function in detail. Other challenges include the d...
Biophysics
16

Lack of Structure Prediction for Highly Dynamic Proteins

Biophysics
Current structure prediction tools like AlphaFold excel for stable proteins but struggle with highly dynamic proteins whose structures fluctuate continuously, leaving a gap in our understanding of intrinsically disordered proteins and protein allostery.
Biophysics
17

Lack of Direct Measurement of Quantum Effects in Biological Systems

Biophysics
Despite theoretical predictions, quantum effects in biological systems remain largely unmeasured. Direct experimental evidence is needed to explore how quantum phenomena influence biomolecular interactions.
Biophysics
18

Light Scattering in Living Tissue Prevents Optical Access to Deeper Regions

Biophysics
Living tissue exhibits strong light scattering, which hampers deep-tissue imaging and limits resolution. Overcoming this barrier is critical for mapping neural activity and enabling noninvasive diagnostic imaging.
Biophysics
19

Difficulty Delivering Physical Probes for Imaging into Living Cells

Biophysics
Delivering physical probes for imaging into living cells is challenging due to barriers in cell membranes and potential perturbation of cellular function. New approaches are required to enable high-dimensional biosensing without invasive probes.
Biophysics
20

Live Cell Imaging at Deep Nanoscale Resolution is Destructive

Biophysics
Techniques that achieve deep nanoscale resolution in live cell imaging often destroy the sample, limiting the ability to conduct longitudinal studies on the same specimen.
Biophysics
21

Understanding Life as a Far-From-Equilibrium Physical Phenomenon

Biophysics
Our ability to analyze organisms holistically as systems which emerge from fundamental physics is limited by our lack of formal frameworks for distinguishing living and nonliving systems which are precise enough to be useful for practical scientific problems
Biophysics
22