New Scientific Applications of Geometry and Topology

by Sumners, De Witt L.; Cozzarelli, Nicholas R. (CON)

• ISBN13: 9780821855027
• ISBN10: 0821855026
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1992-12-01
• Publisher: Amer Mathematical Society

Summary

Geometry and topology are subjects generally considered to be "pure" mathematics. Recently, however, some of the methods and results in these two areas have found new utility in both wet-lab science (biology and chemistry) and theoretical physics. Conversely, science is influencing mathematics, from posing questions that call for the construction of mathematical models to exporting theoretical methods of attack on long-standing problems of mathematical interest. Based on an AMS Short Course held in January 1992, this book contains six introductory articles on these intriguing new connections. There are articles by a chemist and a biologist about mathematics, and four articles by mathematicians writing about science and mathematics involved. Because this book communicates the excitement and utility of mathematics research at an elementary level, it is an excellent textbook in an advanced undergraduate mathematics course.

Table of Contents

Evolution of DNA topology: Implications for its biological roles

Geometry and topology of DNA and DNA-protein interactions

Knot theory and DNA

Topology of polymers

Knots and chemistry

Knots and physics

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.