The Relation Between Computer Technology & Biophysics
Computer technology has elevated the scope and specificity of biophysics research over the past few decades. Modeling software and computational analysis have enabled biophysicists to study the complex nature of living organisms and their movements. Three-dimensional (3D) imagery and high-speed photography create new platforms in which to view the ultra-fast movements of insects like moths or bees. Biomedical imagery uses computer technology to access regions of the human body, brain and nervous system for the purpose of medical diagnosis.
Other People Are Reading
-
Three-Dimensional Imagery
-
Computer imagery has developed into a niche for graphic displays and quantitative shape analysis that contribute to medical diagnosis. Examples of crucial imaging technology used in biomedical physics are the X-ray computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imagery (MRI). Neuroimaging is a relatively new field that benefits from these two methods, incorporating the different modalities of each to obtain 3D images of the complex activities taking place in the nervous system and the brain.
Computer Modeling
-
Modeling software creates a virtual laboratory in which to study otherwise unobservable phenomena. Molecular dynamics computer simulation is one method used by geneticists to understand the infinitely complicated biophysics of DNA, in addition to various other proteins and enzymes. While we cannot photograph or use advanced imaging technology for such minute particles, 3D modeling allows for the construction of images using information about the nature of these molecules, coupled with computational mathematics.
-
High-speed Photography
-
Modern high-speed cameras have enabled the observation and documentation of biological phenomena at nearly 1000 frames per second. The cameras record to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) module, developed for computer memory, enabling the storage of these incredibly dense media files. High-speed videography involves a frame-by-frame analysis of biomechanical features of small insects, like moths and bees. The use of high-speed photography has been around since the early stages of computer technology development. A study conducted in 1986 by Mieko Taniguchi of the Nagoya University in Japan used an image converter camera system to conduct high-speed photomicrography and record -- with clarity -- the activities of living muscle fibers.
Computational Analysis
-
Computer techniques allow for the analysis of spatial patterns found in biomedical images, such as an MRI. Spatial patterns are simply characteristics of the objects found in a spatial region. Using software developed for this type of analysis, scientists can study the progress of bone implants, wound healing, even physiological reactions in the body due to temperature change.
-
References
- Computational Methods in Biophysics, Biomaterials, Biotechnology and Medical Systems: Volume 2 "Computational Methods;" Leondes, 2002.
- Biophysics Journal; "Computer Modeling Demonstrates that Electrostatic Attraction of Nucleosomal DNA is Mediated by Histone Tails;" Korelev, July 2006
- Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment; Volume 246, Issues 1-3, pg 794-796 "Ultrahigh speed photomicrography and dynamic aspects of muscle contraction and related phenomena;" Taniguchi, May 1986.
Resources
- Photo Credit MRI Gehirn image by Daniel Schmid from Fotolia.com
