Anders E. Carlsson

​Professor of Physics
PhD, Harvard University
BA, Harvard University
research interests:
  • Biophysical Modeling
  • Mechanobiology
    View All People

    contact info:

    mailing address:

    • Washington University
    • MSC 1105-110-02
    • One Brookings Drive
    • St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
    image of book cover

    ​Professor Carlsson's research interests are focused on modeling the polymerization processes that bend the membranes of cells. This work is being performed in collaboration with Professor John Cooper at the Washington University School of Medicine.​

    Professor Carlsson's work in biophysical modeling treats the molecular-scale processes that allow cells to move, divide and ingest nutrients from outside the cell. These processes involve the formation of branched polymer networks, or parallel bundles, of the protein actin. The phenomena are being modeled by a combination of Brownian dynamics and stochastic growth simulation, and analytic theory. The main current aim of the modeling is to understand how actin polymers provide force to drive endocytosis, a ubiquitous process which brings nutrients into the cell.

     

    recent courses

    Classical Electrodynamics I (Physics 505)

    Classical electromagnetism via Maxwell's equations. Electric and magnetic fields from static charge and current distributions. Mathematical techniques for solving electrostatic and magnetostatic problems. Electrostatic and magnetostatic forces and energies.

      Classical Electrodynamics II (Physics 506)

      Classical electromagnetism in macroscopic and microscopic forms; electromagnetic fields of and forces between charged particles. Applications to electrostatic, magnetostatic, electrodynamic, and radiation problems.

        Nonlinear Dynamics (Physics 509)

        The course will treat the theoretical foundations of nonlinear dynamics, and its applications to phenomena in diverse fields including physics, biology, and chemistry. Topics will include phase plane analysis, stability analysis, bifurcations, chaos, and iterated maps.

          Topics in Theoretical Biophysics (Physics 563)

          Application of a range of physical models to biological systems. Topics include protein folding, self-assembling molecular systems, and mechanical properties of biological materials. Background material will be provided but some exposure to statistical mechanics or thermodynamics is necessary.

            Professional History

            1983-present: Professor, Washington University
            1980-1983: Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University Laboratory for Atomic and Solid State Physics